Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of June 11, 2008 Perle E. Avery, Sr. Perle E. Avery, Sr. of Cuba, Missouri, was born Friday, August 27, 1921 at Steelville, Missouri to the union of Curtesy and Beulah (nee Clonts) Avery and passed away Friday, June 6, 2008 at Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 10 days. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during WW II. He was united in marriage to Lillian Loretta Forrester in November 1949 at Springtown, Missouri. Perle worked as truck driver for 25 years for Brown Shoe Company, in St. Louis, Missouri, and he drove a truck for a total of 39 years before he retired. After retirement he enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, bowling, playing shuffle board and his cat “Whitey” but what he always enjoyed most was spending time with his family and friends. Perle was a founding member of the VFW Post 7147 of Cuba and a member of the American Legion Post of St. Clair. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 55 years; one daughter, Fern Bryant; one brother, Bryan Avery; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his children, Linda Collier of Sullivan, Missouri, Perle “Butch” Jr. and wife Carol Avery of Sullivan, Missouri, Clarence Gene and wife Linda Avery of Leasburg, Missouri, Claudia and husband Mike Dildine of St. Clair, Missouri; three step children, Kay and husband Clete Andrews of Potosi, Missouri, Lila Chapman of Park Hills, Missouri and Dennis and wife Kathy Avery of Washington, Missouri; 32 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Sunday, May 8, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2008 followed by an American Legion Service at 6 p.m. and a VFW service at 6:15 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Charles (Charlie) Anton Delfel Charles Anton Delfel was born November 9, 1915 and passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at his residence of Chestnut Terrace, St. Peters, Missouri at the age of 92 years. He had been a long time resident of Indian Hills Lake, Cuba, Missouri. Charles was a 32 Degree Mason and a member of Gardenville Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita Mildred (Roux) Delfel of St. Peters Manor; his brother, Earl Delfel (Virginia); son, Charles David Delfel (Paula); grandchildren, Dustie (Delfel) Butteiger (Mike), David Charles Delfel (Michelle), Dawn Griffin; great grandchildren, Emma Butteiger, Juanita, David and Sophia Griffin. As per his request no memorial services will be held. Charles honorably donated his body to St. Louis University Medical School. Raymond Luther Haffer Raymond Luther Haffer was born March 13, 1922, in Crawford County, Missouri to William Henry Haffer and Ida Jerusha Haffer. He passed away at his home in St. James, Missouri on Friday, May 30, 2008. He was 86 years, 2 months, and 17 days of age. Raymond began his working life at the age of 14 when he worked with his brother-in-law cutting logs, hewing ties and making staves. He also drove a truck for Lee Truck service. In 1949 he went to work for the Boys Scouts of America at Beaumont and was in charge of the first 130 mile trail ride. He worked at Beaumont until 1960 when he went to work for the City of University City and worked there from 1960-1965. In 1965 he and Mary moved to St. James and he worked for his father-in-law, Richard Witzke. He worked at Statewide Steel and then the James Foundation. He retired from the James Foundation in 1992. After retirement he started working on lawn mowers and doing welding for people. He then began cleaning motors and separating metals for Midwest Sales in Cuba. He appeared in the movie “Treehouse Brown” produced by Alex Primm, in which he explained the craft of hewing a tie. He became a Christian in 1965 and was a member of Solid Rock Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Virginia Pearl Haffer; two brothers, Archie Leroy Haffer and Claude William Haffer; two sisters, Hallie Almeda Haffer McConnell and Wyneta May Haffer. He is survived by his loving wife and grandchildren, Ric Haffer and Jennifer Haffer of the home. Four sons, Raymond Charles Haffer and wife Joan of St. Ann, Missouri, Robert Leroy Haffer and wife Janet of Sullivan, Missouri, James Luther Haffer and wife Lana of Steelville, Missouri, and Rick G. Haffer and fiance Jennifer Taylor of St. James, Missouri; two daughters, Mary Joyce Turner and husband Charles of Farmington, Missouri and Jacqueline Renee Chavez and husband Matthew and daughter Courtney of North Las Vegas, Nevada; 13 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; one brother, Floyd Haffer of St. Louis, Missouri; six sisters; Ruth Thomas of St. Louis, Missouri, Gladys Hammond of Farmington, Missouri, Melba Doss of Berryman, Missouri, Ruby Barman and husband Bill of St. Louis, Missouri, Lucille Jennings of Farmington, Missouri and Fern McClain and husband Bob of Huzzah, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation for Raymond was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Mo. Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2008, at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri with Pastor Craig Rippy officiating. Pallbearers were Dean Henderson, Bryan Henderson, Don Claus Jr., “Buddy” Haffer, Willie Haffer and Paul Doyle. Music was provided by Avis Rainbolt with Cathy Wynn at the organ. Burial in a family plot in the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. All arrangements were under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Lucas Lee Light Lucas Lee Light of Cuba, Missouri was born Sunday, March 1, 1987 at Rolla, Missouri and passed away Saturday, June 6, 2008 at Franklin County, Missouri at the age of 21 years, 3 months and 6 days. Lucas was employed at Johnson Controls in Cuba, Missouri. He attended the Freewill Baptist Church and enjoyed playing video games, music, writing poetry and spending time with his friends. He is survived by his parents, Bo and Connie Dildine of Cuba, Missouri; four brothers, Patrick, Lee, Chris and Doug; three sisters, Misty, Chelsea and Nicole; three nieces, Jordan, Makayla and Nevaeh; six nephews, Tyler, Robert, Malachi, Kegan, Elijah and Brennan and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2008 with Pastor Don Martin and John Breese officiating. Interment Delhi Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Ronald Edward (Bud) Pinnell Bud Pinnell was born, February 19, 1952 in Crawford County, Missouri to the Union of John and Millie Pinnell (nee McCune) and passed away Wednesday, June 4 2008 at Alive Hospice, Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 56 after battling lung cancer. He is survived by son, John Pinnell and wife Maria of Stanton, Missouri; daughter, Margie Pinnell and her three children, Kori, Jessi, and Levi of Sullivan, Missouri. He was self employed and had been residing in the Nashville, Tennessee for the last several years. Over the years he had been a welder, an electrician, and sold insurance. He was an ornery, independent, prideful, and spirited man, but we loved him. A Memorial Wake will be held Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the home of his son. Please RSVP to 573-927-2479 or contact the family for details. Fred W. Pretak Fred W. Pretak was born November 17, 1917, the son of Gus and Anna, nee Zak, at St. Louis, Missouri and he passed away May 28, 2008 at Chesterfield, Missouri at the age of 90 years. He married Leola J. Lawless and to this union four children were born. Fred and Leola operated the Cobblestone Resort at Steelville, Missouri in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was also employed at Emerson Electric Co. Fred was a member of the Holy Infant Catholic Church in Ballwin, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife; son, Richard Pretak; daughter, Phyllis A. Ulrich; and sister Bernice Vermilye. He is survived by daughter, Donna LaRico; son, Alfred W. Pretak and sister, Helen Callanan. Funeral service was held June 3 at Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin, Missouri. Burial followed with military honors at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Iretta Hantance Spurgeon Iretta Hartance Spurgeon of Owensville, Missouri was born in Oak Hill, Missouri on October 16, 1916, the daughter of the late Jacob and Clara (Creek) Licklider. She passed away Monday, June 2, 2008 at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville, Missouri at the age of 91 years. On September 1, 1934 in Steelville, Missouri she was united in marriage to Marion A. Spurgeon and he preceded her in death. On June 17, 1995 she married Royal Allen Spurgeon in Owensville and he also preceded her in death. She and her husband, Marion, served in ministry in area churches for over 40 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Owensville, Missouri. She was a shoe worker for many years. She was preceded in death by her husbands; a son, Stanley Spurgeon; two grandsons, Scott Davis and Glendon Loughridge; three brothers, Herman, Chester and Lester Licklider; and three sisters, Lucille Dunakey, Aleene Conley and Olley Licklider. She is survived by her son, Bernard Spurgeon and wife Carolyn of Owensville, Missouri; daughters, Norma Pointer and husband Jimmie of Vienna, Missouri, Agnes Hinson of Bunker, Missouri, Glenda Moreland of Rolla, Missouri and Mickey Davis and husband Jaime of Rolla, Missouri; brothers, Ira Licklider of Owensville, Missouri and Leroy Licklider of St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Sylvia Jost of Cuba, Missouri; nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Visitation was held Wednesday, June 4, 2008 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, Owensville, Missouri. Funeral services were Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri with Pastor David Robertson officiating. Burial in the Licklider Cemetery in 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