Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of August 19, 2015 Freeman W. Burrus Freeman W. Burrus of Salem, Missouri was born to Dolph and Ida Plank Burrus in Dent County on Sunday, July 12, 1925 and passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015 at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 2 days. He served his country honorably as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II. He married Blanche B. Hutson on May 26, 1946 in Cherryville, Missouri and to this a son was born. He and his wife enjoyed 69 years of marriage as sweethearts until she passed away. In the 60's they were co-owners of the Salem Bowling Lanes. Freeman earned his Associates Degree from Southwest Baptist College and then completed his Bachelors Degree in education from Southwest MO State, Springfield, Missouri. He began his teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse then later principal at Northwood School District in Salem, Missouri. After retirement, he drove a school bus for several years. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, Salem, Missouri where he taught Sunday School for many years. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, reloading, shooting guns and was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dolph and Ida Burrus; parents-in-law, Otis and Elizabeth Hutson; step parents, Ralph Click and Floyd "Buck" Happel; wife Blanche B. Burrus on July 18, 2015; and brother-in-law Delmar Hutson. He is survived by his son, Randy Burrus and wife Cathy of Marthasville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Jean (Bill) Talbert of Cook Station, Missouri and Dorothy Hutson of Steelville, Missouri; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Andrew) Barbero of Evansville, Indiana and James (Katharine) Burrus of Bainbridge Island, Washington; great granddaughter, Rowen Burrus; other relatives and friends. Visitation is Friday, August 21, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. and funeral service at 7 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Spencer Hutson officiating. Burial at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the North Lawn Cemetery, Salem, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Loretta C. Coffman Loretta C. Coffman of Jefferson City, Missouri, formerly of Linn, Missouri, was born December 3, 1925 in Linn, Missouri to Rainhart "Rainey" and Gertrude (Vossen) Schaefer and passed away on Monday, August 10, 2015, at the age of 89 years. Loretta was a 1944 graduate of Linn High School. On October 10, 1964, she was united in marriage to James Edward Coffman, Jr. in St. Louis, Missouri In addition to being a homemaker, Loretta worked as a bookkeeper at a bank. Loretta was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville and the Red Hatters Club. She enjoyed watching soap operas, collecting rock babies, and had worked as a volunteer at St. Mary's Hospital as well as a volunteer "Class Grandma" at Immaculate Conception School in Loose Creek, Missouri. In addition to her parents and spouse of 21 years, She was preceded in death by her parents, Rainhart and Gertrude Schaefer; husband of 21 years, James on November 2, 1985; one son, James Coffman III; one daughter, Barbara Heriford; three brothers, Bill, Joe and Herbert Schaefer; one sister, Leona Bert; and an infant sister. She is survived by two grandchildren, James "Jimmy" Coffman IV of Jefferson City, Missouri and Sarah Coffman of Jefferson City, Missouri; four great grandchildren, Kaelyn and Treysen Coffman and Peyton and Kyler Stark; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at the Morton Chapel in Linn, Missouri. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2015 at the St. George Catholic Church in Linn, Missouri. Interment was in the Steelville Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri. Beverly Ann Combs Bevery Ann Combs (nee Skaggs) of Steelville, Missouri, fomerly of Cuba, Missouri was born January 22, 1956 in St. Louis, Missouri to James and Norma Abney Skaggs and passed away Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the age of 59 years. On August 9, 1997 in Cuba, Missouri she married Larry "Bubba" Combs. Beverly didn't have children of her own but in her younger years helped raise some of her nieces and nephews. She was a member of the First Apostolistic Church in Cuba, Missouri. In her spare time she liked to do word searchs, color, liked to be on the go and loved talking on the phone. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Norma Skaggs; her husband, Larry; one sister, Donna Britton; brother-in-law, Harry Minor; parents-in-law, Harold and Nellie Combs. She is survived by four sisters, Sharon (Gary) Clark of Carthage, Missouri, Debbie Minor of Moro, Illinois, Carol (Mark) Barton of Black, Missouri, Linda (James) Osborne of Waverly, Texas; two brothers, Wayne (Mary) Skaggs of Bunker, Missouri and Ronald (Stephanie) Skaggs of Blackwell, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Susan Combs of St. James, Missouri; brother-in-law, Harold Combs of Columbia, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Steelville Community Park at the Taylor Pavilion. Arthur R. King Arthur R. King of Hillsboro, Missouri, formerly of Berryman, Missouri, was born on Friday, March 21, 1930 in Berryman, Missouri to Ruben Franklin and Mable Lola Bridgman King and passed away on Monday, August 10, 2015 at the age of 85 years. Arthur married Bernieth Elsie Martin on October 31, 1953 at the Steelville Courthouse and to this union four children were born. He was a member of the Carpenter's Union #2119 and moved houses for several years. He would cut wood and work on the farm in his spare time. His hobbies were gardening, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Mable King; baby brother, Delmar King; brother, Walter King; grandchild, Missi Hicks; brothers-in-law, Edmond Adams, Clifton Harmon, Dwight Martin and Kenneth Martin; and sister-in-law, Ollie (Garrett) Halbert. He is survived by his wife Bernieth King of Hillsboro, Missouri; children, Dale (Dawn) King of Hillsboro, Missouri, Elsie (Pete) Hammond of Desoto, Missouri, Judy (Rick) Brown of Hillsboro, Missouri and Nancy (Kevin) Skaggs of Desoto, Missouri; brother, Jerry (Geraldine) King of Berryman, Missouri; sisters, Rachel Adams, Lottie (Lester) Vance, and Mary (Robert) Hutson, all of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Margie King of Cuba, Missouri, Lucille Harmon and Martha Martin of Steelville, Missouri and Mary Martin of Cherryville, Missouri; grandchildren, Dawn Selsor, Zeb and Koty Hammond, Ricky Brown, Jared and Jordan King and Brandon and Shannon Skaggs; great grandchildren, Makayla Brown, Kevin Sanders and Lo Hammond; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. and funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2015 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Burial was at the Berryman Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Charles Lavern Lancaster Charles Lavern Lancaster of Cuba, Missouri was born May 12, 1941 at Montier, Missouri to Hershel and Wilma (nee Allen) Lancaster and passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the age of 74 years. Charles was united in marriage to Phyllis Chandler on December 31, 1962 at Overland, Missouri and to this union five children were born. Charles worked in construction for 50 plus years, building many beautiful homes. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and farming. For many years you would find Charles at Montauk State Park on March 1st for opening day of trout season. The most important part of Charles's life was his loving family and spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Wilma Lancaster; and still born twin brothers, Dorman and Norman Lancaster. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Phyllis Lancaster of the home; five children, Duane Lancaster and Sherry Dean of Bourbon, Missouri, John and wife Cheryl Lancaster of Willard, Missouri, Scheryl Stovall and Robert Barringer of Joplin, Missouri, Charles, Jr. and wife Christy Lancaster of Owensville, Missouri and Leroy and wife Teresa Lancaster of St. Clair, Missouri; 11 grandchildren, Jonathon, Justin, Amber, Brittany, Kelsey (James), Jordan (David), Austin, Taylor, Christopher, Emilie and Sarah; three great grandchildren, Maddalyn, Owen and Grayson; one sister, Frances and husband Duard Brown of Ozark, Missouri; one brother, Leroy Lancaster of Ozark, Missouri; sister-in-law, Joyce Compton of Bridgeton, Missouri; brother-in-law, Ron and wife Fran Chandler of Bridgeton, Missouri; nephew James Lancaster of Ozark, Missouri; other relatives and friends. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Living Word Church in Leasburg, Missouri. Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Living Word Church in Missouri with Pastor Dan Morrison officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Irma J. McMillian Irma J. McMillian of Cuba, Missouri was born October 9, 1926 in Crawford County to Edward and Dahlia (nee Litton) George and passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the age of 88 years. Irma was united in marriage to Herman McMillian on February 1, 1941 in Steelville, Missouri. They were happily married for 65 years and nine children. Irma spent nearly 60 years farming with her husband, putting up hay and working the cattle. Irma worked at a sawmill for 40 years and during that time when the weather was bad she would work at a factory. She owned and drove a school bus 14 years, for the Missouri State School that Joel attended and she was part owner of Action Carpet in Cuba, Missouri. Irma enjoyed hunting, sewing, quilting, gardening and garages sales. Irma attended the First Baptist Church of Leasburg during the later years of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Dahlia George; her husband, Herman McMillian; three sons, Clifford, Mack and Joel; eight siblings, Freeman, Lytle, Nettie, Bill, Myrtle, Kate, Sebina and Evelyn. She is survived by her children, Joann and husband Dick Busse of St. Clair, Missouri, Karen Childress of St. James, Missouri, Kathy Hayes of Cuba, Missouri, Larry McMillian of Cuba, Missouri, Carol and husband Bruce Crutchfield of Cuba, Missouri and Pam Richardson of Cuba, Missouri; like a son, Larry Pilkenton of Cuba, Missouri; 23 grandchildren, many great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends Visitation was held Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Special music was "I'll Fly Away" and "Amazing Grace." Interment and prayers followed at the McMillian Family Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Gregory Mark Mehas Gregory Mark Mehas of Bourbon, Missouri was born on November 20, 1957 in Athens, Greece to Richard and Janet (Cooper) Mehas and passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the age of 57 years. Greg was a self-employed carpenter for many years. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, animals and golf but most of all he enjoyed being PaPa to his grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan and loved to cheer for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Steelers. He is survived by his wife, Judy (Whitman) Mehas of Bourbon, Missouri; seven children, Robby and wife Jodi Black of High Ridge, Missouri, Donna Black of DeSoto, Missouri, Sheila and husband Craig Dotson of Rolla, Missouri, Ricky Black Jr. of Bourbon, Missouri, Alisha and husband Mike Switzer of O'Fallon, Missouri, Rachelle Mehas of Leasburg, Missouri and George and wife Charyl Mehas of Bourbon, Missouri; parents, Richard and Janet (Cooper) Mehas of Grandview, Missouri; 15 grandchildren, James, Blake, Ryan, Lissa, Ivory, Corrin, Samantha, Stephanie, Rylee, Madison, Brayden, Jackson, Axton, Aubrey and soon to be Keira; three sisters, Kathy and husband Dale Jenkins of Warrensburg, Missouri, Krissy Mehas of Kansas City, Missouri and Kim and husband Chris Steele of Marana, Arizona; four dear friends, Kenny, Fuji, Dan and Steve; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Lesa Mizell officiating. Interment followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ 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