Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of June 17, 2009
George Franklin Blair
George Franklin Blair of Cuba, Missouri, formerly of Steelville, Missouri,
was born October 7, 1923 in Potosi, Missouri to James Horace Blair and Vicie
Beers Blair and passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Cuba Manor, Cuba,
Missouri at the age of 85 years.
George had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Steelville and
later attended the Church of Christ in Cuba.
He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. George had worked in St. Louis
at Bodine before retiring.
He was preceded in death by his parents James Horace and Vicie Blair; one
son, Phil Blair; five brothers, John, James, Charlie, Burket and Earl Blair;
five sisters, Martha Oliver, Minerva Martin, Bertha Turnbough, Deloris Blair
and Mary Rulo.
He is survived by his daughter, Patsy Davis of Viburnum, Missouri; one son,
Jimmy Blair of Independence, Missouri; stepson, Lee Blair of Festus,
Missouri; one brother, Carl Blair of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was held Thursday, June 11, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri and from 10-10:45 a.m. on
Friday morning.
A graveside service was held on Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Steelville
Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Kevin Farr officiating.
Casket bearers were Richard Price, Lee Blair, Auzzie Moses, Alick Rowland,
Rev. Kevin Farr and Ken Halbert.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.
Ervin J. Blankenship
Ervin J. Blankenship of Gerald, Missouri was born August 14, 1946 at Japan,
Missouri to Vernon W. and Bertha E. (Strothcamp) Blankenship and passed away
at his home on Monday, June 8, 2009 at the age of 62 years, 9 months and
24 days.
He was a life-ling resident of the Japan area and was a machinist at
St. Clair Die Casting for over 21 years. He enjoyed the outdoors and would
take his sons deer hunting every season. He was a member of the Church of
Christ in Owensville, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Bertha Blankenship;
two brothers, Johnny Blankenship and one in infancy and a step mother, Eva.
He is survived by two sons, Nicholas Blankenship of Japan, Missouri and
Nathaniel Blankenship of Gerald, Missouri; three daughters, Sonia Parry and
husband Matthew, Shiloh Bergner and Sheena Blankenship, all of Steelville,
Missouri; two brothers, Sonny Blankenship and wife Linda of Sullivan,
Missouri and Teddy Blankenship and wife Darlene of Japan, Missouri; three
sisters, Margie Carey of Cuba, Missouri, Mary Davis and husband Howard of
Owensville, Missouri and Theresa Wehmeyer and husband Ron of Sullivan,
Missouri; seven grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the Eaton
Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri and on Friday from 10:30 a.m. until time
of service at noon at the Church of Christ, Owensville, Missouri.
Funeral service was at noon on Friday, June 12, 2009 from the Church of
Christ in Owensville, Missouri with Larry Harris officiating.
Interment was in the Holy Martyrs of Japan Cemetery, rural Sullivan,
Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan,
Missouri.
Toni Lynn Engel
Toni Lynn Engel of Ash Grove, Missouri was born on March 19, 1950 in
St. Louis, Missouri to Robert Mason and Billie Jean Johnson Engel and
passed away Friday afternoon, June 12, 2009 in the Ash Grove Health Care
Center, following a short illness at the age of 59 years.
She grew up in the Cuba, Missouri area and graduated from Cuba High School
and later graduated from Forest Park Junior College in St. Louis, Missouri
and later attended MSU with a very strong determination to fulfill her wishes
to complete her education with a B.S. in Psychology.
She was very strong and compassionate with determination to do for herself.
She was independent and accomplished many of her dreams and wanted to help
others. She was a homemaker and held membership in the Ash Grove Firs
Christian Church.
She is survived by her mother, Billie Jean and step-father, Donald Dean
Kelley of Troy, Missouri; sister, Terry and husband Don Magness of
Bois D’ Arc, Missouri; brother, Robert Michael and wife Anna Engel of
Kitzign, Germany; nieces and nephew, Thersa and Jennifer Engel, Valarie
Magness and Greg and wife Jean Ann Magness; great grand nieces, Fallon,
Savannah and Kendall Belle Magness.
Memorial services and a Celebration of Life was Wednesday, June 17, 2009
at 10 a.m. in Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home Chapel, Ash Grove, Missouri,
with Revs. Tom Geer and Richard Virnig officiating with inurnment at a
later time in Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
According to Toni’s wishes her body has been given for anatomical
examination, which in turn can help others.
Arrangments under the direction of the Wilson Brim Daniel Funeral Home,
Ash Grove, Missouri.
Margaret Dobkins Eshbaugh
Margaret E. Dobkins Eshbaugh was born to Helen and Marvin R. Dobkins,
formerly of Steelville, Missouri and passed away suddenly June 3, 2009
of leukemia, in Pennsylvania (her home the last several years) at the age
of 71 years.
She graduated from Steelville High School and began working for the
Crawford County Court as secretary/recorder, etc with Judge Henry. She
worked also for attorneys Cliff Beckham, Earl Roberts and other attorneys
around the area. She worked for the Crawford Mirror when it was owned by
Ralph Kehr. She also worked as secretary and transcriptionist for doctors
in Rolla and worked with the Salem and Rolla radio stations.
After residing in Rolla for many years, she moved to Pennsylvania and
worked again as a transcriptionist for doctors there while also writing a
weekly program for the radio station in Pittsburgh. She was a member of
the poetry society and loved traveling to their conventions. She designed
original paper dolls, with limited edition sets for such places as the
Tom Sawyer museum in Hannibal and personal sets for celebrities, she wrote
several hundred poems and many were published by magazines including the
Missouri Conservationist, which published one with each issue for a few
years.
She loved the opera and met such singers as Pavarotti and enjoyed a trip
to England to visit historical sites.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Eshbaugh of Murrysville,
Pennsylvania; two children, Robert S. Menamin and wife Shelly and Greta
Roach; grandchildren, Abby, Sarah, Timmy and Tommy Menamin; her mother,
Helen Dobkins of Tennessee; sisters, Carol Keith and husband Del of
Tennessee, Beth and husband Rich Garrison of Wyoming, Pat and husband
Gilbert FitzGerald of New York; brother, Ernest Dobkins and wife Esperanza
of Oregon; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were in Pittsburgh.
Helen A. Harding
Helen A. Harding of Florissant, Missouri formerly of Crawford County was
born Saturday, December 20, 1919 at St. Louis, Missouri to the union of
Herman L. and Lida (nee Lowry) Hall and passed away Monday, June 15, 2009
at St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 26 days.
Helen was united in marriage to Addison B. Harding on June 18, 1938 at
St. Louis, Missouri and to this union five children were born.
Helen retired from North Dale Market in Spanish Lake, Missouri after many
years of dedicated service. After retiring she moved to Crawford County,
Missouri were she was a member of the Prairie Extension Club and Trinity
Chapel. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing and reading, but what she loved
and enjoyed most was spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Lida Hall; one brother,
Bud Hall: two sisters, Marie Dixon and Kitty Horn; one grandson, Jeffrey
Addison Harding; other relatives and friends.
She is survived by her children, Donald and wife Norma Jean Harding of
Owensville, Missouri, David Harding of the state of Alabama, Salle Winkler
of Florissant, Missouri, Linda and husband Dub Prince of New Madrid, Missouri
and Barbara and husband John Standeford of Hazelwood, Missouri; two brothers,
Shorty Hall of Parma, Idaho and Jerry Hall of the state of Washington; one
sister, Rose Keller of the state of Nevada; 11 grandchildren; numerous great
grandchildren; numerous great great grandchildren; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 17, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Britton Funeral Home
of Cuba with Pastor Gary Mace, officiating. Special music “In the Garden” and
“Amazing Grace” will be song by Don Harding.
Interment to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri
Donald Gene John
Donald Gene John of Jerome, Missouri was born September 12, 1929 at Broadway,
Missouri to Travis E. and Grace L. Manhenke and passed away at his home
June 11, 2009 at the age of 79 years.
Donald was united in marriage to Wanda Seymore in 1951, to Glenda Mayer in
965, and to Debra Dahalman July 15, 1991.
He is survived by his wife, Debra John of Jerome, Missouri; sons, Mark John
of Anaheim Hills, California, Tracy John and wife Teresa of Anaheim Hill,
California, Billy John and wife Claudette of Irvine, California and Michael
Goins and wife Crystal of Rockport, California; daughters, Lana Smith and
husband Frank Jr. of Tibbetts, Missouri, Kelly Marie Mead and husband Richard
of Huntington Beach, California, Tessie John and Michelle Ayale of La Mirada,
California, Dineen Ruiz and husband Lorenzo of Whittier, California, Berna
Bray and husband Jeff of Blue Springs, Missouri; brother, Max John and wife
Irene of Vienna, Missouri; 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Visitation was Monday, June 15, 2009 from 6-8 pm at the Jones Funeral Home
in St. James, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the
Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Tim Hughes officiating.
Burial with full military rites will be in the Broadway Memorial Cemetery near
St. James, Missouri.
All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in
St. James, Missouri.
George A. Belew Kavanaugh Sr.
George A. Belew Kavanaugh Sr. of De Soto, Missouri, was born January 1, 1936
in Bliss, Missouri to Archie and Pearl (nee Moss) Kavanaugh and passed away
June 11, 2009 at the age of 73 years.
George married Viola (nee Dever) Kavanaugh on February 25, 1967 in St. Louis,
Missouri.
He was a member of Amvets Post #48, VFW Post #1831, Laborers Local 110. He
served his country in the U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Pearl Kavanaugh; step-
father, Jacob Belew; one sister, Rose A. Cox and one brother, Jack Belew.
He is survived by his wife, Viola Kavanaugh of De Soto, Missouri; three sons,
Terry (Darlene) Kavanaugh of Bonne Terre, Missouri, George A. Kavanaugh Jr.
of Farmington, Missouri and C. David Kavanaugh of Blackwell, Missouri; one
daughter, B. Michelle (Kurt) Merseal of Steelville, Missouri; two sisters,
Thelma O’Harver of De Soto, Missouri and Mary Widsom of Jonesburg, Missouri;
one brother, Raymond Belew of Hillsboro, Missouri; nine grandchildren; six
great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Monday, June 15, 2009 from 4-8 p.m. at the Dietrich-
Mothershead Funeral Home, De Soto, Missouri.
Funeral service was Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Dietrich-
Mothershead Funeral Home, De Soto, Missouri.
Interment at the National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home,
De Soto, Missouri.
Maurice Jean Magnin
Maurice Jean Magnin of St. James, Missouri was born on July 6, 1933 in
St. James, Missouri to Cesar Sr. and Anna Roselee (Bender) Magnin and passed
away on June 9, 2009 at the age of 75 years, 11 months and 3 days of age.
Maurice served his country from 1953 to 1955. He was a crane operator and
worked for Pam American World AirWays in Florida for 23 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cesar Sr. and Anna Roselee Magnin;
one brother, Cesar Magnin Jr.; one sister, Maria Louise Wortham and one
infant sister.
He is survived by cousins and friends.
Visitation was Thursday, June 11, 2009 from 1-3 p.m. at the Jones Funeral
Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 3 p.m. at the
Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri with Steve Barber
officiating.
Burial was in the family plot in the Flat Grove Cemetery in rural St. James,
Missouri.
All arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in
St. James, Missouri.
Thomas Lewis Matlock
Thomas Lewis Matlock of Pacific, Missouri was born on October 6, 1925 to
Thomas Henry and Virginia Pearl (McCall) Matlock and passed away on Sunday,
June 7, 2009 at the St. John’s Hospital in Washington, Missouri at the age
of 83 years, 8 months and 1 day.
He was united in marriage to Peggy Joyce Petty on May 4, 1974.
He was a retired carpenter. He served his country in the Navy for three years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Henry and Virginia Pearl
(McCall) Matlock; one infant brother, Warren Russell Matlock and two sisters,
Edith Jenkins and Juanita Jenkins.
He is survived by his wife of the home, Peggy Matlock; one son, Ronald Matlock
and wife Brook of O’Fallon, Missouri; four daughters, Kiki Itani of Pacific,
Missouri, Sherri Littleton and husband Jason of St. John, Missouri, Peggie
Killam and husband Jim of Shelbyville, Illinois and Bunny Coffman of Pleasant
Hill, California; one brother, Jim Matlock of St. James, Missouri; two
sisters, Laura F. Jones of St. James, Missouri and Mildred Noakes of Arnold,
Missouri; many grandchildren; several great grandchildren other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, June 9, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at the Pacific
Assembly of God Church in Pacific, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the
Pacific Assembly of God Church in Pacific, Missouri with Lloyd Ward and
Harold Harrison officiating.
Jimmy Jenkins provided the music “How Great Thou Art” and “Master Of The Wind.”
Pallbearers were Danny Matlock, Larry Jenkins, Richard Nelson, Bob Hardcastle,
Don Mendenhall, and Harold Harrison.
Burial was in the family plot in the Matlock Cemetery in rural St. James,
Missouri.
All arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James,
Missouri.
Ella M. Sindlinger
Ella M. Sindlinger of Sullivan, Missouri was born at Nosiers Mill near Leslie,
Missouri on January 19, 1914 to Josiah and Sarah Elizabeth (Rhodus) Brown and
passed away at Life Care of Sullivan, Missouri on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at
the age of 95 years.
She had lived in the St. Louis area around 30 years until moving back to rural
Sullivan, Missouri. She worked for a time at the former International Shoe
Company, but for the most part of her life was a dedicated housewife and
mother.
On July 14, 1934 she was united in marriage to Wilferd Sindlinger at Union,
Missouri and to this marriage a son was born.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Josiah and Sarah Elizabeth Brown;
her husband, Wilferd on March 26, 1994; son, Carl; grandson, Keith Sindlinger;
two daughters-in-law; six sisters; and six brothers.
She is survived by two grandsons, Chris Sindlinger and wife Pam of Imperial,
Missouri and Warren Sindlinger of St. Ann, Missouri; two great grandchildren,
Lori Luke and Angie Fick and husband Eric; three great great grandchildren,
Bailey Mentel, Kory and Kyle Luke; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from 10 a.m. until time of
services at 11 a.m. at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 from
the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Jeff Bent officiating.
Interment was in Cave Spring Cemetery, rural Sullivan, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan,
Missouri.
Marie Clara Marchi Wycoff
Marie Clara Marchi Wycoff was born August 15, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri
and was raised in Rosati, Missouri. She passed away Sunday, June 7, 2009 in
Lake St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 83 years.
She enjoyed family, church, bowling and an occasional trip to the casinos.
She is survived by her husband, of 64 years, Marvin Wycoff of Lake St. Louis,
Missouri; two sons, Ronald and his wife Ruth Ann Wycoff of Gainesville,
Florida and Donald and his wife Wei Wycoff of Columbia, Missouri; daughter,
Sharon and her husband Steve Brading of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren;
eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was at 9 a.m. at The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of
Dardenne on June 10, 2009.
Funeral services followed at 11 a.m. with Reverend Steve Giljum will
officiating.
A second visitation was Thursday, June 11, 2009 at James & Gahr Mortuary in
St. James, Missouri at 10 a.m. Graveside service followed at 11 a.m. in the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery with Father Charles Pardee
officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James,
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