Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of June 8, 2011 Franklin Leslie “Buck” Blanton Franklin Leslie “Buck” Blanton of Leasburg, Missouri was born on January 11, 1941 in Sullivan, Missouri and passed Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the age of 70 years. “Buck” as he was known by family and friends honorably served his country in the US Army. He married Lorraine Yates on June 30 1980. Buck retired as an OTR Truck Driver but still enjoyed having a cup of coffee every morning with the guys. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and watching westerns on TV. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Blanton and Mildred (nee Jeager) Blanton-Ray; wife, Lorraine; his step-father, Thomas V. Ray; two daughters, Leslie and Pamela Blanton; three brothers, Fritz, Fred and James Blanton and a sister, Bonnie Jordan. He is survived by two sons, Thomas Blanton and wife Christina of St. James, Missouri and Daniel Blanton of Leasburg, Missouri; two daughters, Carol Blanton of Columbia, Missouri and Debbie Robinson and husband Claude of Illinois; two brothers, Frank Blanton and wife Pat of Sullivan, Missouri and John Blanton and wife Karol of Bourbon, Missouri; three sisters, Louise Blackwell and husband Bill of Gerald, Missouri, Kathy Shoemaker and husband Stanley of Owensville, Missouri and Joan King and husband Jerry of Bourbon, Missouri; 16 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 1 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 1st Baptist Church of Bourbon, Misouri with Pastor Ted Hurley officiating. Burial followed in the Bourbon Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Melvin Douglas Brush Melvin Douglas Brush of Cuba, Missouri was born in Delaware, Ohio on Thursday, July 4, 1957 to Donald Brush and Lorene King Brush and passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the age of 53 years, 10 months and 28 days. He worked several years for S & J Metal Manufacturing in Cuba, Missouri. His hobbies were fishing, working on cars and tinkering with electronics. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald; sister, Bonnie Click and son, Kenneth Brush. He is survived by his children, Sara Brush, Rose Brush, and Angel Brush Summers, all of Cuba, Missouri, Rena Brush Summers of Lebanon, Missouri and Sheena Brush of St. James, Missouri; mother, Lorene King Brush of Richland, Missouri; brothers, Don (Alice) Brush of Marion, Ohio, Jim (Ellen) Brush of Sullivan, Missouri and Ralph (Tammy) Brush of Chetopa, Kansas; sisters, Dixie (Chuck) Summers and Sylvia Leslie, all of Richland, Missouri, Rose (Mike) Oberbeck of Lebanon, Missouri and Rhonda (Tracy) Schnelting of Owensville, Missouri; special friends, Larry (Tina) Hatton and Lonnie Smith, all of Cuba, Missouri; five grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 9-11 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Arthur Gormley, Sr. officiating. Burial was at the Cross Roads Cemetery, Leasburg, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Grace Mae Gable Grace Mae Gable of Sullivan Missouri was born October 12 1919 to Oscar and Leona Meek in Whitesboro, Texas and passed away Thursday May 26, 2011 at the age of 91 years. She married Wesley E Gable on June 30, 1973, and they made their home in Sullivan, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Leona Meek; two sons, Eddie and Baby Hickman; two husbands, William Henry Hickman and Wesley Gable; a sister, Hazel Barnhart; two brothers, Lee and Jeff Meek; a daughter-in-law, Lois Ann Hickman and a step-grandson. She is survived by two sons, Ronald Keith and wife Tressie Hickman of Sullivan Missouri and Dwayn Kent of Blair Oklahoma; one sister, Carmalita “Jody” and husband Alfred Aldrich of Sullivan Missouri; brother, Guy Meek of Penryn, California; grandchildren, Ronald Keith Jr. and wife Amanda Hickman of Leasburg, Missouri, Keissha Hickman and fiancé James Tripp of Sullivan, Missouri, Cindy and husband Stephen Penaluna with son of Blair, Oklahoma, and Wendy and husband Whity Pryor of Martha, Oklahoma; two great grandchildren, Austin and Drake Bunton of Sullivan Missouri, Nevaeh Grace and Tressie Hickman of Leasburg, Missouri; two step grandsons; two step great granddaughters other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at noon on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Richard Williams officiating. Burial followed in the Union City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Herbert Harold Hofer Herbert Harold Hofer was born in Salem, Missouri on July 31, 1941 to Earnest and Ruth (Manning) Hofer. He passed away in Hermitage, Missouri on May 26, 2011 at the age of 69 years, 9 months and 25 days. Herb enjoyed farming, raising a garden and was a gifted and skilled mechanic, fabricator, welder and could fix about anything. Hunting, fishing and gigging were things he enjoyed as well as having fish fry’s and barbeques. In his later years camping and boating were among his favorite pass times. Herb was an avid antique collector and specialized in the many patterns and colors of Depression glass.  He also enjoyed hand painted porcelain and prints. Being a private pilot, he very much enjoyed flying and owned his own plane. Herb was an Air Fighter pilot of World War II. For nearly the last six years of his life, Herb was active in the funeral business. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Hofer. He is survived by his long time friend and companion, Bonnie Midkiff of Salem, Missouri; as well as, Bonnie’s two sisters, Emma and husband Tom Bressie and Beverly and husband Mike Whitley all of Salem, Missouri; their children and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; a daughter, Violet Jean (Jeanie) Hofer of Salem, Missouri; three step-children, Diana Jo Foti and significant other Dave Lawanas of O’Fallon, Missouri, Rhea Beth Pitts and husband Don of St. James, Missouri and Gregory Lee Crocker and wife Janice of O’Fallon, Missouri; two grandchildren, Emily Ruth Smallwood and Jacob Wyant Smallwood; seven step-grandchildren, Christine Mason and husband Shane Cory Alan Foti and wife Jen, Shane Lunsford and wife Brandi, DeNiel Gillen and husband Anthony, Jamie Halbert, Jessica Coats and Rachel Brake and husband Rob; 21 step-great grandchildren, Ashley and Bryce Foti, Liam  and Katie Mason, Connor and Devin Lunsford, Kylie, Brooklin, Jacob and Adelyn Gillen, McKenzie, Gage, Ryker and Maddox Jones, Austin, Lexus, Jesse and Dallas Crocker and Craig, Makai and Paradise Coats; other relatives and friends. Funeral service was 2 p.m. Sunday May 29, 2011 at Dent County Memorial Chapel with Virgil McWhorter, Russ Davidson and J.J. Tune officiating. Music was provided by recorded selections. Pallbearers were Jason Steelman, Steve Sullivan, Greg Crocker, John Smallwood, Charlie Yowell, Sam Crocker, Jacob Smallwood and Austin Crocker. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Carnett, Danny Earney, Charles Kolb, Billy Miller, Billy Bahr and Kent Robinson. Interment was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Dent County Memorial Chapel. David Lee Ramey David Lee Ramey of Cuba, Missouri was born to Finis A. and Almera (Hubbard) Ramey on January 6, 1943 in Phoenix, Arizona and passed away Friday, May 27, 2011 at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 68 years. David was united marriage to Barbara J. Copelan on January 6, 1961 in Downey, California and to this union two daughters were born. David retired from Hughes Aircraft in Fullerton, California in 1998 after 35 years of dedicated service as an Electronics Engineer. After moving to the area he found great pleasure in working at the Heinrichshaus Winery in St. James, Missouri. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, playing softball, trips to the river, camping and riding four wheelers. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Finis A. and Almera (Hubbard) Ramey. He is survived by his wife, Barbara J. Ramey of Cuba, Missouri; two daughters, Michele and husband Roger Lathrop of Corona, California and Doreen and husband Ken Weatherman of Cuba, Missouri; five grandchildren, Christin and Michael Lathrop, Erica Monroe and fiancé John Blunt, Megan Lathrop and Tara Monroe; one great grandchild, Leslie Blunt; two brothers, Roger Ramey of Valley Center, California, Stephen Ramey of Lake Forest, California; one sister, Ann Millan of Buena Park, California; former son-in-law, Sam Monroe of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. The family will be planning a memorial tree planting service in his memory. Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Cheri Cameron Thiele Cheri Cameron Thiele was born August 22, 1964 in San Diego, California to Pat and Ruth Mullen and passed away at her home in Romona, California, on May 13, 2011 at the age of 46 years, 3 months and 9 days. Cheri’s hobbies and interests were in music, quilting, decorating and preserving family memories through taking pictures and scrapbooking. She loved family get-togethers and most outdoor activities. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Mullen. She is survived by four children, Joshua and wife Kristina, David, Chasity and Hannah; her father, Pat and step mother, Nancy Mullen of Cuba, Missouri; grandmother, Florence Mullen; sisters, Sheila, Amanda and Angie; brothers, John and Patrick; granddaughter, Kayla; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the El Camino Memorial Chapel on Thursday, May 19, 2011 in LaMeso, California with burial in the Alpine Cemetery, Alpine, Calfornia. Diana Elaine Wiles Diana Elaine (Callahan) Wiles was born December 4, 1949, the firstborn of six children to Glenn and Norma (Adams) Callahan in Salem, Missouri and passed away at the Meramec Care Center, Sullivan, Missouri on Monday, May 16, 2011. Diana met her husband, Jerry, at the small country church they attended (Lebanon Baptist Church) in Bloomsdale, Missouri. They were married on November 29, 1969, at the same church, and just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Diana and Jerry lived in High Ridge and Gray Summit before settling “on the farm” in Sullivan for the past 30 years. Although Diana struggled with some health issues for many years, she lived her life for our Lord and it can always be said, “She did the best she could”. She is survived by three children, Curtis Shawn (Billie) Wiles of Cuba, Missouri, Amy Gaugh of Union, Missouri and Betsy (Mike) Miller of Union, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Richie, Eric, Shawn, Kyle, Bethany, Justine, Haley, Austin, Cauy and Kamryn; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Charles Idleman officiating. Cremation followed. Arrangements under the direction 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