Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of August 18, 2004 Mitchell Allen Brand Mitchell Allen Brand was born Saturday, November 25, 1961, at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Virginia, a son of the late Gerald Floy Brand and Carol Ann Daugherty Brand Plank. He died the result of a motorcycle accident in St. James, Missouri, at the age of 42 years, 8 months and 10 days. On July 28, 2001, at St. James, Missouri, Rev. Jerry Beers united Mitchell in marriage to Ritzel Llena. They have enjoyed three short years together. Mitch had a good handle on the American entrepeneur spirit. He was a partner in B&D Auto Sales and had numerous real estate investments. His family and friends characterized him as being a friend to everyone. He was always willing to help others and put his "stuff" on the back burner. He was a good listener to the problems of others by sharing and keeping the confidence. He would often make you laugh about life's seriousness. Mitch knew a serenity and peace and used this to benefit others. His whole attitude and outlook on life was a positive hope. He realized that God did for him what he could not do for himself. Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his devoted wife, Ritzel, best known as "Ching", of the home in St. James; two sons, Brad Brand and Eric Brand; one daughter Sonja and husband D.J. Parsons all of St. James, Missouri; two brothers Curtis Brand and wife Tryphena of Steelville, Missouri and Billy Baker and wife Denna of Davisville, Missouri; one sister Lisa Black and husband Alan of Marshfield, Missouri; mother-in-law and father-in-law Salvador and Preciosa Llena of Ormoc City, Phillippines; step father Bill Baker and wife Pat of Davisville, Missouri; other relatives and many friends. Mitchell Allen Brand lay in state 3-8 p.m. Sunday, August 8, 2004, at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2004, in the Britton Chapel with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. The eulogy was given by Chuck Roth. Musical selections were provided by the Ivie sisters, Joan, Letha, and Rosemary Ivie. Committal prayers and interment were in First Baptist Church Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri. Honoring Mitch as pallbearers were Tom Benedick, Russell Bliss, Steve Brougham, Gary Collen, Sam M. Elia, Patrick Ray, Chuck Roth, Ben Shriver and John Woolsey. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Virgil Eugene Center Virgil Eugene Center was born Monday, December 22, 1913, at Ironton, Missouri, a son of the late Grover and Myrtle (Clifford) Center. He departed this life Friday, August 6, 2004, at his home, near Steelville, Missouri, at the age of 90 years, 7 months and 14 days. On February 23, 1937, at Ironton, Missouri, Virgil was united in marriage to Madge Marie Harman. To this union, one son and two daughters were born. In addition to his parents Virgil was preceded in death by his wife Madge Center and his sister Virginia Robinson. Among those who remain to mourn his passing is his son David Center and wife Virginia of Steelville, Missouri; two daughters, Shirley Peterson and husband Claude of Evansville, Wyoming, and Sharon Payne and husband Bill of Steelville, Missouri; his sister Beatrice Anderson and husband Wallace of Sullivan, Missouri. Eight grandchildren, Michael Center of Cuba, Missouri, Steve Dobkins of Cassville, Missouri, Jim Dobkins of Marshville, Missouri, Bill Dobkins of Vancouver, Washington, Pamela Bailey of Eufaula, Alabama, Cheryl Meadows of Dothan, Alabama, Melissa Butcher of Sheridan, Wyoming and Bryan Peterson of Casper, Wyoming; seven great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and many friends. When in Wyoming Virgil, with the help of six young men from the local college, built a fence over the mountain at Eaton's Ranch and Madge went along as the cook. When the six young men ate so much that they ran low on supplies around midweek, Virgil told Madge they had 50 pounds of flour, feed them biscuits and gravy. This was way before National Geographic told the world that Steelville people ate everything slathered in gravy. Virgil and Madge always had a big garden - right next to Liberty Road - with the rows curving around the drive up to the house. Everyone kidded him on his crooked row garden as everyone else in Crawford County planted straight rows. People still remember that garden. His wood shop was a delight to everyone who knew him. The smell of sawdust, the jokes and stories told around the stove, his wonderful wagons, spoons, tiny tools and "doodles" - all are lasting memories for his friends and family. Some people doodle on paper with a pencil. Virgil doodled with a pocketknife. When he was not reading to relax he was whittling on a piece of wood. Sometimes it was a boat or a knife or miniature shovel or hammer handle or a crochet hook. But most times it was just a geometric shape of some kind. When someone asked what he was making he always said, "I don't know, I'm not done yet." Dad had so many interests during his lifetime, both in his work and for his personal enjoyment. He was a machinist, mechanic, welder, husband, father and friend. He enjoyed music, playing guitar and harmonica and whistling when friends and family gathered. He was an avid reader and a lover of good food. Virgil will always be remembered as a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, husband and friend. Virgil Eugene Center lay in state 5-8 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2004, at Britton Bros. Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at Britton Chapel, Steelville, Missouri, with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Musical selections were provided by Melissa Butcher, Jim Dobkins and Rev. Jerry Beers. Serving as pallbearers were Melissa Butcher, Dave Center, Mike Center, Jim Dobkins, Steve Dobkins and Bill Payne. Committal prayers and interment were in Liberty Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. All arrangements were entrusted to the care of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Thomas Darrel Glore Thomas Darrel Glore was born Monday, September 6, 1943, at Vigas, Missouri, a son of the late Albert Thomas Glore, Sr. and Leona Schild Knecht Glore. He entered eternal life Thursday, August 5, 2004, at his home near Steelville, Missouri, at the age of 60 years, 10 months and 29 days. On September 17, 1983, Tom was united in marriage to Janet Helms, daughter of Harold Helms and the late Marcella Tinker Helms. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence Paul Glore (died at birth), Albert Glore, Jr. and wife Katherine "Kate" Glore; and brother-in-law Delmer Helms. Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his loving wife, Janet Glore of the home; two daughters Kimberly and husband Johnny Harmon of Steelville, Missouri, and Tamara Parrett of Steelville, Missouri; son-in-law Joe Parrett of Cherryville, Missouri; stepdaughter Alina Brown and husband Christopher Lane of Washington, Missouri. Two sisters and brothers-in-law Alberta and Cleveland Shoemake of Steelville, Missouri and Shirley and Robert Lavy of Chillicothe, Illinois; father-in-law and mother-in-law Harold and Linda Helms of Steelville, Missouri. Sisters-in law and brothers-in-law Barbara and Ray Francouer of Licking, Missouri, Phillip Helms, Roger and Michelle Brown, Anessa and Tim LaRue, Karalee Ledbetter, Racheal Helms, Harold Helms II and Kyle Helms all of Steelville, Missouri, Loretta and Bill Morrill of Salem, Missouri, Patricia and Leonard Martin of Cherryville, Missouri and Steve Fowler of Sullivan, Missouri; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and many friends. Thomas Darrel Glore lay in state 4-8 p.m. Sunday, August 8, 2004, at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Monday, August 9, 2004 in the Britton Chapel with Rev. Myron Fesler and Rev. Homer Morris officiating. Musical selections were provided by Cindy Fesler. Committal prayers and interment were in Steelville Cemetery. Honoring him as pallbearer were Larry Adams, Josh Dotson, Albert Glore, Kevin Glore, Jarod Harmon, Randy Harmon, Kevin Martin and Joe Parrett. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Donald Francis Hewkin Donald Francis Hewkin was born on January 28, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of William Silas Hewkin and Clella Greenwood Hewkin and passed away at the St. John's Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 70 years, 6 months and 10 days. On March 11, 1955, Donald was united in marriage to June Bassett in Florissant, Missouri. Two sons, Kevin and Steven, and one daughter, Dawn, were born to this union. They have been happily married for 49 years. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Oren (Buster) Hewkin and Rodney Hewkin and two sisters, Eloise Garms and Naomi Boll. He was a Korean Veteran and attended the Kirk of the Hill Presbyterian Church. Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his devoted wife June Hewkin; loving children, Kevin Hewkin and wife Cheryl, Steven Hewkin and wife Donna and Dawn Edens and husband Mike. Three brothers, Homer Hewkin and wife Leora, James Hewkin and wife Marilyn and Lynn Hewkin. Two sisters, Darlene Cape and husband James and Colleen Woolbright and husband Glenn; four grandchildren, Steven, Michael, Dylan and Marisa Hewkin, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Donald was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and good friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed. Donald Francis Hewkin was in state at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri, where services were held on Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 10 a.m. with Rev. James Burrus officiating. Interment was in the Turnbough Cemetery, Davisville, Missouri. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Carole Irene Ray Carole Irene Ray nee Cresswell of Leasburg, Missouri was born on February 2, 1938 at Leasburg, Missouri to the union of Orville Neil CCresswell andHattie Ennis Cresswell and passed away on August 14, 2004 at her home in Leasburg, Missouri at the age of 66 years, 6 months and 12 days. On June 1, 1957 Carole was united in marriage to Curtis Ray in Leasburg, Missouri. Two daughters, Sherry and Lisa, were born to this union. They have been happily married for 47 years. Carole was a member of the Crossroads Baptist Church of Leasburg, Missouri. Those who survive to mourn her passing are her devoted husband Curtis Ray; two loving daughters, Sherry Clonts and husband Dennis and Lisa King and husband Daniel; one brother Neil Cresswell and wife Margaret; one sister Helen Harbin; five grandchildren; one great grandson; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends. Carole was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, good friend to all who knew her and will be sadly missed. Carole Irene Ray nee Cresswell was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri where funeral services were held on Monday, August 16, 2004 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Anthony Amato officiating. Interment was in the Lea Cemetery, Leasburg, Missouri. All arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Glendon O. Young Glendon O. Young of Cuba, Mo. was born on Monday, May 16, 1910 in Calhoun, Mo. to John L. Young and Ludella Debo Young. He passed away Saturday, August 7, 2004 at Cuba Manor at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 22 days. Glendon married Frances Martin on December 30, 1934 in Steelville, Mo. He was a farmer living in Crawford County most of his life where he also had a grape vineyard for many years, even selling grapes at one time to Welch's Corporation. Glendon also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gigging. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Frances Martin Young; two sisters Virginia Prather and Bessie Williams; and one brother Raymond Young. Those who remain to mourn his passing are his nieces, Vivian Warner and husband John of Cuba, Mo., Vera Whalen, Lois Bridgeman and husband Orville, all of Newbury Park, California; brother-in-law Bill Hutchison of Springfield, Mo.; sisters-in-law Betty Coppedge and husband Glenton of Salem, Mo., Wilma Martin, Eva Lee Martin, all of St. Clair, Mo., and Florence Martin of Union, Mo.; other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, August 10, 2004 from 5-7 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Mo. Funeral services were Wednesday, August 11, 2004, 11 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Mo., with Bro. Delmar Hutson officiating. Danny Gruver sang "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Sweet By and By." Interment at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Mo. with pallbearers Dale Young, Dale Young, Jr., Clay David Young, Kendall Smith, Jimmy Hutson, and Rodger Bridgeman. All arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Mo. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Winnie Brooks ====================================================================