Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of June 25, 2008 Loyd F. Engle Loyd F. Engle lived in the Cuba and St. James area all of his life except for a stint in the U.S. Army during WWII. Born to the union of the late Ernest F. and Mary Elizabeth (Cox) Engle on April 23, 1917 in Swedeborg, Missouri and passed away Sunday, June 22, 2008 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri at the age of 91 years, 1 month and 29 days. Loyd was united in marriage to Wanda Rice on October 21, 1941 in St. James, Missouri. Together they shared 59 years of marriage. Loyd was involved in the building of Ft. Leonard Wood, both before and after his induction into the Army in May of 1941. He was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division and saw action in New Guinea and Luzon. He was assigned to Head- quarters Company of the 20th Infantry Regiment as an ammunition carrier where he was a truck driver, demolition expert, sniper and escort for various officers. While squatting on the seat, he drove a snorkel equipped ammo truck off an LST into the sea during the Luzon landing, for which he received a Bronze arrowhead, in addition to two bronze stars for the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns. Although he had attacks of conscience for his work during the war, he was proud of his service in the Army. He worked at Roberts-Judson Lumber and Hardware in Cuba after he and Wanda settled there in 1946, until his retirement in the early 90’s. They were active in the Cuba United Methodist Church for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four siblings, Mary Givens, Elsie Saladin, Ruby O’Connor and Edward Engle. He is survived by several nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, June 24, 2008 from 1-2 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Smith, officiating. Interment in Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Kenneth Roy Gibson Kenneth Roy Gibson of Cuba, Missouri, was born April 19, 1928 in Bourbon, Missouri and passed away June 15, 2008 at Missouri Veterans Home, St. James, Missouri, at the age of 80 years. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. He worked for Alberici Construc- tion and a member of Arnold VFW Post #2593, Fenton Masonic Lodge #281, A.F. & A.M., a member of Moolah Shrine Temple, St. Louis and 50 year member of Carpenters Local 2214. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert Gibson and Ada (nee Benson) Gibson-Scott. He is survived by sons, Mark (Sharon) Gibson of Foristell, Missouri, Kevin (Karla) Gibson of Arcadia, Missouri, Steven (Debbie) Roberts of Alanson, Michigan and David (Linda) Roberts of St. Louis, Missouri and seven grandchildren. Funeral service was Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. with graveside service at Shepherd Hills Cemetery, Arnold, Missouri. John Marsh John Marsh of Cook Station, Missouri was born on Saturday, July 12, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri to Vitold Mroczkowski and Jessie Cendrowski Mroczkowski. He passed away in his home on Friday, June 13, 2008 at the age of 83 years, 11 months, and 1 day. John previously worked as a machinist in some St. Louis manufacturing companies. He also was a commercial fisherman and helped in cave rescues. John was very resourceful in his inventions. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, writing poetry, making art out of rocks, collecting arrowheads, playing the piano and harmonica. Some will remember him as the man who had buses, cars, and trucks up in the trees some 30 feet high, which he used for a hunting blind. He operated a charity on his property for many years, helping countless people in need. He had 20 mobile homes he filled with everything a home would need; from clothing to appliances, beds and furniture all free for the asking. He bought people cars and trucks, gave out cash, bought them food, and paid their bills. He had a heart of gold even to those who abused his generosity. His life was in danger many times by those he was trying to help. He forgave those who stole from him and continued to help them. He said he understood their desperation and felt if he continued to help them it would keep them off the streets or from stealing or doing drugs another day. John would tell how he grew up in the depression and never forgot it. He helped his mother with his brothers and sisters even after they were grown. Having never married and having no children, he would bring his nieces and nephews out to his country farm on weekends when they were young. Many people never realized what a gift we had in John being a great part of our community. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Helen Mroczkowski; sisters-in- law Fannie Mroczkowski and Mary Marsh and brother-in-law Walter Trudzinski. He is survived by his special friends, Tina (Hardin) Bird and Delbert Schindler of Cook Station, Missouri; sisters, Regina Trudzinski, Dorothy McGirl, Joann Mroczkowski, Katherine Mroczkoski,and Rita (William) Alivernia; brothers, Edward Marsh, Bruno (Irene) Mroczkowski, Ted (Mary) Mroczkowski, Leo Mroczkowski and Ray (Marge) Mroczkowski, all of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, June 17, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral mass was Wednesday, June 18, 2008, 10 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, St. Louis, Missouri with Father Michael Donald officiating. Burial at the Resurrection Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. All arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Donald McInnis Donald Haskell McInnis was born in Steelville, Missouri, on October 3, 1932. Shortly thereafter he moved with his parents, Haskell and Hester, to the Huzzah farm acquired by his great grandfather after the Civil War. Donald and his siblings, Mary, Dick, and Jean, all received their elementary education at the one-room school adjacent to the farm. He was an inveterate collector of books, stamps, airplane spotter cards and Cardinals baseball statistics... anything that helped him acquire knowledge of a subject for which he was interested. Like his parents, he remained throughout his life a voracious reader and seeker of wisdom. Weather is a critical factor on a farm, and sky-watching with his father gave Donald an abiding interest in all things meteorological. At age 16, he graduated from Steelville High School and then attended the University of Missouri where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics and a Phi Beta Kappa key. He then spent four years in the Air Force, spending much of that time in the South Pacific, and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. Following employment with Boeing Aircraft in Seattle and McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri. He was hired to teach at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri. He was married to Tennie Spurlock on May 29, 1965. After the birth of their son in 1967, the family moved to Columbia where he earned a PhD in Atmospheric Science at MU. Thereafter, Donald remained in a teaching position at SMS until his retirement in 1996. “Professor McInnis” was known as an extraordinary teacher and a kind-hearted gentleman. He loved spending time with his family and his many good friends, especially if it involved the symphony or classical music. Donald is survived by his Aunt Louise and Maitland Timmermiere; sisters, Mary McInnis and Jean Slowensky; his former wife and close friend, Tennie Spurlock; their son, Major Erik McInnis; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; grandchildren, Hailee 11, Joseph 4, and Robert Haskell 1. A memorial service was held on June 21, 2008 at 3 p.m. at Greenlawn South in Springfield, Missouri. Donna Kay Talbert Donna Kay Talbert of St. James, Missouri passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri. She was 52 years, 10 months and 28 days of age. Donna was born on July 22, 1955 to her parents, George A. and Loretta Irene (McWilliams) Talbert. She was a factory worker for 17 years. She is survived by her parents of St. James, Missouri; four brothers, Roger Eugene Talbert and wife Andra; Ronald Lee Talbert and wife Joyce; James and Wayne Talbert, all of St. James, Missouri; one sister, Darla Ann Talbert of St. James, Missouri; aunt, Leona Huffman of St. James, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the time of service at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri. Music was provided by Lori Garver, vocalist and Charlet Hemme at the organ. Pallbearers were Dean Taber, Harrison Taber, Gary Taber, James Talbert, Wayne Talbert, Ronald Talbert, Roger Talbert, Sam Talbert, Trevor Pilotte, and Nathan Gregory. Burial in the 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. 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