Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of May 7, 2003 Emilio Renato "Reno" Amidei Emilio Renato "Reno" Amidei was born Tuesday, October 3, 1916 to the late Pellgro Amidei and Emma Ugolini Amidei in the town of Pievepelago, in the province of Modeno, Italy and departed this life on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at the Phelps County Regional Care Center in Rolla, Mo. after a long illness, at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 27 days. Reno came to this country as an early teen with his father and brother. He and his brother remained and their father returned to their mother and sisters in Italy. He attended school in Highwood, Illinois. Reno worked seven years for the Esquire Pub in Chicago, Illinois before entering the service. Reno served in the United States Army from December 4, 1942 to January 8, 1946 where he was honorably discharged having attained the rank of Corporal. He served as a gunner manning a 75mm gun, mounted on a MYA3 Sherman Tank and on an amphibious tank, known as a water buffalo He participated in the Philippine Islands and Ryukyu's Campaigns. Reno received the American Theatre Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Service medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze Stars, two Overseas Service bars, ASR score 58 Lapel button, Good Conduct Medal; and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. He became a US citizen while in the Army. After his military service, Reno returned to Chicago and to the Esquire Pub and Restaurant downtown Chicago where he worked for a total of approximately 40 years. Reno married Ethel Brown on March 19, 1948 in Evanston, Illinois. He and Ethel made their home together for 40 years living most of their married life in Chicago. Reno helped Ethel with gardening and enjoyed yard work. He liked to go pheasant hunting with Philip and an old Army buddy. He always had a cat and dog and enjoyed spending time with them. His favorite baseball player was Orestes "Minnie" Minoso who played for the Chicago White Sox in the 1950's. They made their home in Chicago until moving to Steelville, Mo. in 1982. Ethel died May 27, 1998. Reno was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ethel, one brother-in-law Leslie Brown, and one sister-in-law Hallie Roberts. Those who remain to mourn his death are his son Philip Johns and wife Virginia of Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Kevin and Tracy Johns, Scott and Jill Johns, and Keith and Jennifer Johns, and seven great grandchildren, James, Katie, Chance, Meritt, Jackie, Katelyn, and Julia; special cousins Henry and Vivian Slovensky, and Shirley Brown of Steelville, Mo., other cousins, relatives and friends all who will sadly miss and fondly remember Emilio Renato "Reno" Amidei. Visitation was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. Funeral Service was held Friday, May 2, 2003 at the Hutson Funeral Chapel in Steelville, Mo. with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Musical selections were Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. Pallbearers were Kevin Johns, Scott Johns, Keith Johns, Scott Biggs, Steve Biggs, and Terry Slovensky. Honorary pallbearers were Homer Perkins, John Simmons, and Rev. Burley Turnbough. Burial was in the Liberty Cemetery in Steelville, Mo. All arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. Augusta Carolina Helena Blomberg Augusta Carolina Helena Blomberg nee Wespi of Cuba, Mo. was born on February 17, 1909 to the union of Charles Karl Wespi, Sr. and Wilhelmina (Ludwig) Wespi at Bourbon, Mo. and passed away on April 27, 2003 at the Missouri Baptist Hospital, Sullivan, Mo. at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 10 days. On November 11, 1928 Augusta was united in marriage to John H. Blomberg at Bourbon, Mo. One son, Leonard, and three daughters, Ruth Mae, Hazel Clara and Hilda Marie were born to this union. They were happily married until John preceded Augusta in death on April 15, 1961. Augusta was also preceded in death by her parents, two daughters, Ruth Mae and Hazel Clara, two brothers, Charles and John Wespi, three sisters, Marie Finney, Anna Jost and Emma Finney. She was a life long resident of Crawford County and a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cuba, Mo. and the Lutheran Ladies Aid. Those who survive to mourn her passing from this life are her son, Leonard Blomberg and wife Betty; one daughter, Hilda Tavenner and husband Ed; three grandchildren, Jim Blomberg, John and wife Shannon Tavenner and Patricia Tavenner; one great-granddaughter Abigail Tavenner; other relatives and friends. Augusta was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, good friend to all who knew her and will be sadly missed. Augusta Carolina Helena Blomberg nee Wespi was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 1, 2003 at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cuba, Mo. at 1 p.m. with Rev. Roger Schnakenberg officiating. Pallbearers were Dale Blevins, Carl Besemer, Albert Finney, Gary Campbell, John Tavenner and Jim Blomberg. Interment was in the Gerth Cemetery, Bourbon, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Junies James Engelhardt Junies James Engelhardt was born Monday, January 3, 1921, at Biloxi, Mississippi, a son of the late Hazel and Rudolph J. Engelhardt. He entered into rest Thursday, May 1, 2003, at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla, Mo., at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 28 days. On June 22, 1959, at Belleville, Illinois, Junies was married to Verniece Abney, daughter of Porter and Letha (Parks) Abney. They have enjoyed over 43 years together. Junies was retired from the United States Air Force, having served more than 20 years. During this time he received the rank of TSgt. E-6. In addition to his parents, his twin brother preceded him in death, at birth, Julius Engelhardt, and two other brothers, Jasper Engelhardt and Rudolph Engelhardt; one sister, Rita and husband, John Liggio; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Althea Engelhardt, Ado Hunt, Verda and Thurman Hawthorne, Leman Abney, Velma and Paul Byrd, Bertha and Leonard Thornton, Shirley and Robert Herr and Norma Jean Skaggs. Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his devoted wife Verniece Engelhardt of Kenner, Louisiana, one sister, Mary Agnes Hunt of Bush, Louisiana; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Herman and Hilda Abney of St. Louis, Mo., Arnold and Betty Abney of Steelville, Mo., Arthur and Shirley Abney of St. Charles, Mo. and Martha Abney of Salem, Mo.; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Junies James Engelhardt lay in state 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2003, at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2003, in the Britton Chapel, Steelville, Mo., with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Committal prayers and interment were in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Salem, Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Brent Abney, Jim Abney, Rich Abney, Robbie Abney, Larry Hunt, Donald Thornton, Kenneth Thornton and Jonny Troutt. Honorary pallbearers were Brandon Bouse, Jason Troutt and Justin Troutt. Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Marvin Parker Ivie Marvin Parker Ivie of Cuba, Mo. was born on March 1, 1929 at Steelville, Mo. to the union of Jesse Ivie and Rena Fowler Ivie and passed away suddenly at his home near Cuba, Mo. on May 1, 2003 at the age of 74 years and 2 months. On December 9, 1952 Marvin was united in marriage to Betty Summers at Van Buren, Arkansas. They have been happily married for 50 years. One son, Donnie, and two daughters, Joyce and Patti, were born to this union. Marvin served in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States of America on September 15, 1952. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild Chaz Johnson, two brothers, Jr. and Ab Ivie, and one sister Hazel Hutson. Marvin served as an Assembly of God Minister for many years, serving his Lord in many different churches. In November of 1975 Marvin was the founder and builder of the Calvary Assembly of God Church of Cuba, Mo. He was a member of the Davisville Assembly of God Church and the General Council Assembly of God. Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his devoted wife Betty Ivie; one son Donnie Ivie and wife Terry; two daughters Joyce Johnson and Patti Elmore and husband Marty; two brothers Calvin Ivie and wife Judy and Billie Ivie and wife Brenda; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends. Marvin was a devoted husband, loving father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, good friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Marvin Parker Ivie was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 4, 2003 at the Calvary Assembly of God Church, Cuba, Mo. with Rev. Ridley Thomas officiating. Interment was in the Davisville Cemetery, Davisville, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Walter Glen Luke Walter "Ben" Glen Luke of Cuba, Mo. was born on January 27, 1936 at Taskee, Mo. to the union of Henry Luke and Bertha Dorron Luke and passed away at his home near Cuba, Mo. on April 21, 2003 at the age of 67 years, 2 months and 24 days. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Johnny Luke, one brother, Gene Luke and one sister, Juanita Rodgers. In 1993 he was united in marriage to Betty J. Radosh (Dugan) in Waco, Texas. They have been happily married for nine years. On June 3, 1953 he entered the Navy of the United States of America and was honorably discharged on January 11, 1957. Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his loving wife Betty Luke; one son, Ronnie Luke; stepchildren, Ronnie and wife Diane, Floyd and wife Lana, Steve and wife Kathy, Patrick and wife Cindy, Brian, Brenda, and Peggy Radosh, Patty Byrne and husband Mike, Paula Fears and husband Kevin, Kathy Rebie and husband Kenny. Four brothers Lee and wife Wilma, Jay and wife Edna, Bob and wife Betty and Odie and wife Vernell Luke; two sisters, Gladys Malin and Shirley Price; 20 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; niece; nephews; other relatives and many friends. Ben was a loving husband, father, step-father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, good friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Walter "Ben" Luke was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. where funeral services were held Wednesday, April 23, 2003 at 1 p.m. with Wendell Starns officiating. Interment was in the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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