Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of Aug. 2, 2001 Lois Fern Barker Lois Fern Barker (nee Cremer) was born Thursday, January 7, 1928, at Winchester, Illinois, a daughter of the late Hollie and Elsie (Rackerd) Cremer and entered eternal life Sunday, July 22, 2001 at the Stonecrest Healthcare, Inc. Viburnum, Missouri at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 8 days. Lois was a registered nurse and worked in nursing homes. She was united in marriage to Allen Grant Barker. Three sons and three daughters were born to this union. Allen preceded her in death as did one sister Edna Cremer. Among those who remain to mourn her death are her children, Dorothy and husband Kenneth Ware of Davisville, Missouri, Carol and husband Dewaynne Throgmorton, Linda and husband Carl Smith, Glen Barker and wife Donna, Roy Barker and Del Barker all of Decatur, Illinois. One brother and sister-in-law Russell and Bernice Cremer of Pana, Illinois and one sister, Vera and Tony Singleton of Decatur, Illinois; 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2001, at the Lighthouse Gospel Tabernacle, Viburnum, Missouri with visitation from 9 a.m. Saturday and Rev. Sharon Hedrick officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Rosemary Edwards Rosemary Edwards nee Hunter of Cuba, Mo. was born on May 14, 1924 at St. Louis, Mo. to the union of Roy Hunter and Ada Hunter nee Sego and passed away on July 18, 2001 at Cuba, Mo. at the age of 77 years, 2 months and 4 days. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents and one son Donald M. Edwards. Those who survive to mourn her passing from this life are her three loving granddaughters, Lori Farris and husband Jerry, Krisi Epps and husband Douglas and Jami Edwards and friend Jason Theodosiou; daughter-in-law Bernie Edwards; two sisters Joyce Viehman and Beverly Wagner; dear great-grandmother of Codie, Deidre and Larry Farris and Alexander Epps; dear aunt and great-aunt of Terri, Jim, Amie and Matt Plank and Sharon and Stephani Watson; our dear relative and friend. Rosemary was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, good friend to all who knew her and will be sadly missed. Memorial Services for Rosemary Edwards nee Hunter was held on Monday, July 23, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Mo. with Rev. Mike Hannah. officiating. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Minnie Marie Gray Minnie Marie Gray nee McMillen was born in Bonne Terre, Mo., on February 28, 1917, to the late John Thompson and Sarah Elizabeth (Key) McMillen, and passed away Friday, July 20, 2001, at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 22 days. Minnie was united in marriage to Charles Glen Gray on January 31, 1940 in Salem, Mo. To this union two children were born. Minnie, "Sis," as she was fondly known by her family, was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, infant grandson and eight brothers and many other relatives. She is survived by one daughter, Sarah Jeanne (Gray) Gattrell and husband Robert, two granddaughters, Lori Anne Viehman and husband Rob, and Bobbi Jean Johnson; also surviving are three great-granddaughters, Endi and Justess Viehman and Marlee Johnson and one great-grandson, Shay Viehman, all of Steelville. Also surviving are brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, James Lee McMillen and wife Jean of Fenton, Edna Elnora Clonts, Lawrence Floyd McMillen, Claude Maloy McMillen and Mary Nadine Nichols, and Virginia McMillen of St. James; Helen (Gray) Francis of Steelville, Lawrence Gray and wife Maxine and Russell Gray and wife Mandy of St. Louis, and Clarence Turnbough of Cuba; many nieces, nephews, and many friends. Minnie moved to Keysville when she was a very small child and later moved to Steelville having lived around this area all her life. When she could no longer take care of her own home she moved to the Gibbs Care Manor and later into the Care Center. Minnie Marie Gray lay in state 4-9 p.m. Sunday, July 22, 2001, Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2001, in the Britton Chapel with Rev. W. Dale Starr officiating. Musical selections were provided by Rev. Jerry Beers. Committal prayers and interment were in Keysville Cemetery, Keysville, Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Evelyn Zarbo, Claudia Horne, Dan Clonts, Robert E. Nichols, Rob Viehman, and Dave McLain. Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Helen Frances Matchell Helen Frances Matchell was born Saturday, May 25, 1918 in Platte City, Mo. to the late Bryon and Susie Park Fisher and departed this life Friday, July 20, 2001 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Mo. at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 25 days. Helen married Clark Francis Matchell on April 11, 1941 in Steelville, Mo. and to this union two children were born. Helen enjoyed gardening, canning, she was a hard worker, good cook, and was very compassionate as she helped take care of the sick around her. She loved her family, enjoyed attending church and visiting her many friends. Helen accepted the Lord many years ago and was a very active member of the Perryville Methodist Church of Perryville, Mo. while living there. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clark, her daughter Sharon Thieret, three brothers, David Fisher, Bob Fisher, and Guy Fisher; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Archie and Francis Halbert, Ed and Rena Stiener; Lawerence and Audrey Matchell; Howard and Honor Harper; Bill and Venita Matchell. Those who remain to mourn her passing are her loving son Ronald Matchell and wife Karen of Davisville, Mo.; her grandchildren Kimberly Clabo and husband Michael of Perryville, Mo.; and Jennifer Matchell of Steelville, Mo.; her great-grandchildren Chelsea, Chad, and Christian Clabo of Perryville, Mo.; her step-grandchildren Alicia Jauss of Rolla, Mo., and Apryl Jauss of Steelville, Mo.; John and Nicole Thieret of Perryville, Mo. Her son-in-law Allen Thieret and wife Norma of Perryville, Mo.; her sisters-in-law Meryl Fisher of Platte City, Mo.; Gladys Fisher, and Mary Fisher of Kansas City, Mo., other relatives and friends all who will sadly miss and fondly remember Helen Frances Matchell. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2001 at the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2001 with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Paul Hutson sang Look For Me, and Precious Lord Take My Hand. Those serving as pallbearers were David Fisher, Eddie Fisher, Bryon Fisher, Morris Groom, Bob Weekly, and Doug Matchell. Burial was in the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. James Otto Spurgeon James Otto Spurgeon born April 24, 1919 at Oak Hill, Missouri, passed away July 25, 2001 at the age of 82 years. He was the son of Andrew Ebon Spurgeon and Harriet A. (Brown) Spurgeon. December 12, 1940 in Steelville, he married Vera G. Ellis who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Jerry L. Spurgeon and Gary L. Spurgeon; four grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Andrew and Aaron Spurgeon; one sister, Alberta Holzschuh. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jewell Spurgeon, Marion Spurgeon, John Oral Spurgeon, and four sisters, Opal Collier, Velma Kirkpatrick, Charlene Bryd, and Irene Hendrickson. Visitation for James Otto Spurgeon was held at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Friday, July 27, 2001 with funeral services held at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Woodrow Holzschuh officiating. Burial was in the Licklider Cemetery in rural Cuba, Missouri. Fredia Loree Stiller Freida Loree Stiller (nee Hyde) was born Tuesday, November 17, 1914, at Arden, Missouri, Douglas County, a daughter of the late James Mitchell Hyde and Bessie Leota Lacey Hyde and departed this life Tuesday, July 24, 2001, in the Cuba Manor, Cuba, Missouri, at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 7 days. On September 16, 1939, in Clayton, Missouri, Freida was united in marriage to Earl Kenneth Stiller. One son, John James Stiller was born to this union. Earl preceded her in death, April 26, 1985. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Carroll Hyde and two step-son-in-laws, Ralph Sanders and Robert Albrecht. Freida was a very active member of the First Baptist Church and Martha and Mary OES, both of Steelville, Missouri. Among those who remain to mourn her death are her son, John James Stiller and wife Susan of Colorado; former daughter-in-law Lorraine Happel of Cuba, Missouri; two step-daughters Elenor Lee Sanders and Gloria DeEtt Albrecht both of St. Louis, Missouri. Three grandchildren, Tina and husband David Thomeczek of Fort Collins, Colorado, Dawn Harmon of Rolla, Missouri; John Earl Stiller and wife Danyell of Beaverton, Oregon; two step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Memorial services were held Wednesday, August 1, 2001, at the First Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri with Dr. Cardis Bryan officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Robert Henry Thomas Robert Henry Thomas of Cuba, Mo. was born on February 22, 1914 at Richland, Mo. to the union of William H. Thomas and Lillie (Warren) Thomas and passed away on July 24, 2001 at Cuba, Mo. at the age of 87 years, 5 months and 2 days. On December 12, 1936 Robert was united in marriage to Marie Elizabeth Schwidde at Cuba, Mo. One son, Robert A., and one daughter, Virginia, were born to this union. Robert and Marie were happily married for 64 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Bessie Taylor and Myrtle Newell, three brothers, Victor, Clarence and Leonard Thomas. Robert's family moved to the Cuba area in 1922. He went to work for the Frisco Railroad as a section hand and retired as a foreman after working for the Frisco Railroad for 37 years. Robert was a great Wahoo player and used to make the boards to play on. Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his devoted wife Marie Elizabeth Thomas; one son Robert A. Thomas and wife Dina; one daughter Virginia Center and husband David; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends. Robert was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, good friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Robert Henry Thomas was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. where funeral services were held on Thursday, July 26, 2001 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Leroy Nixon and Rev. Mike Hannah officiating. Interment was in the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Mo. Memorials to Rolla Hospice. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ==================================================================== 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. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe L. Miller ====================================================================