Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of August 20, 2014 Mildred Albers Mildred Albers was born on April 18, 1924 in Rich Fountain, Missouri to John B. and Antonia (Schrader) Klebba, and passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at the age of 90 years. On January 22, 1949, Mildred married James August Albers of Florissant, Missouri at St. Margaret's Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Mildred, also known as "Tink," a nickname given to her in childhood, attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, Rich Fountain, Missouri through 10th grade. She continued her schooling, graduating from St. Elizabeth Academy in St. Louis. Mildred went on to attend Le Clare College, Belleville, Illinois. After college and through the early part of her adult life, Mildred worked at a bank, living at the Plaza Square Apts. in St. Louis and later on Lawnside in Afton. Buying a farm in Red Bud, Missouri she and her husband Jim subsequently moved to the farm full time where they owned and operated the Albers Polled Hereford Farm, a cow and calf operation. They raised registered White Faced Polled Hereford cattle of which Mildred actively bought and tended. She and her family showed their cattle at local fairs, celebrating many blue ribbons over the years. In addition to being an accomplished seamstress, Mildred, along with her husband Jim were active members and project leaders in the Evening Star 4-H Club for several years. They also served locally as foster parents for a number of years. After her husband's death on April 10, 1989, Mildred remained on the farm for two years before moving to St. James, Missouri. Mildred was a member and served as president of the St. James Garden Club for six years, from 1986 through 1989, and then again in 1992 and 1993, traveling to state and national conventions. In 2008 Mildred moved to Rolla, Missouri where she spent her remaining years. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Antonia Klebba; one sister, Alma Gremp; five brothers, Felix, Rudolph, Lawrence, John F. and John H; and grandson, Audy James (AJ) Faulkner. She is survived by a daughter, Jeanette Faulkner of Kell, Illinois; three sisters, Margaret Dendinger of Jefferson City, Missouri, Marie Klebba of Nevada, Missouri and Regina Brevick of Freeland, Washington; granddaughter, Dixie Faulkner; great grandchildren, Jordyn Vaughn, Carma Faulkner, Levi Faulkner and Isiah Faulkner; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Rosati, Missouri followed by a 2 p.m. mass of Christian burial. Interment was at the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, St. James, Missouri. Dustin Kyle DePew Dustin Kyle DePew was born on Tuesday, November 29, 1988 in Cooperstown, New York to Gary Linn and Catherine Ellen Pope DePew and passed away Monday, August 11, 2014 at the age of 25 years, 8 months and 13 days. Dustin attended high school through his sophomore year. He enjoyed attending church as a teenager. After high school he was employed as a tree trimmer. He loved to draw and fish, play video games, be with his friends and especially loved to spend time with his son, Michael Fields. He was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine Pope DePew; grandparents, Paul (Genevieve) DePew and Charles Pope; uncles, Arthur DePew, Richard DePew, John DePew, Carl Prewitt and Allen DePew; and cousin Shawn Layton. He is survived by his father, Gary DePew of Steelville, Missouri; his son, Michael Fields of O'Fallon, Missouri; his son's mother, Brandy Fields; other mother, Dian Wyhs of St. Charles, Missouri; grandmother, Carol Pope of Earlville, New York; brother, Travis DePew of O'Fallon, MO; sister, Angela "Angie" (Carl) Westcott of Sherburne, New York; uncles, Leon (Barbara) Depew, Stanley (Ann) Depew, Duane (EJ) Depew, and Larry Pope; aunts, Martha Prewitt, Marie Johnson, Barbara (Rudy) Archideacano, Norma Depew, Marcia (Edward) Layton and Diane (Tom) Russell; other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Local arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Kenneth Elwood Dunn Kenneth Elwood Dunn of Steelville, Missouri was born July 28, 1930 in Reynolds County, Missouri to Marion J. and Alice Kent Dunn and passed away, Monday, August 11, 2014 at the age of 84 years and 14 days. He was united in marriage to Goldie Marie Stroup. Kenneth enjoyed socializing with people and would come into town every day for coffee and flirting. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Alice Dunn; his wife Goldie in 1993; one son, Kevin Dunn; one step-son-in law, Delmar McKellips; two brothers, Arnold Dunn and wife Edith and Orvil Dunn; one sister Mabel Ross and husband Bill; and brother-in-law, Everett Outlan. He is survived by one son, Kenneth Dunn and wife Sharon of Cherryville, Missouri; three step-sons, James E. Stroup and wife Gloria of Bourbon, Missouri, John Chandler and wife Cindy of Davisville, Missouri and Robert Chandler of Steelville, Missouri; three step-daughters, Linda McKellips and Carol Callahan both of Cuba, Missouri and Virginia Klepatz and husband Rod of Duluth, Minnesota; one daughter in-law, Marcia Dunn of Steelville, Missouri; two brothers, David Dunn and wife Elizabeth of Steelville, Missouri and Bob Dunn and wife Jennifer of Potosi, Missouri; one sister, Wanda Outlan of Carbondale, Illinois; one sister-in-law, Nola Dunn of Belleview, Missouri; many grand- children; many great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until time of service on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Don Wissmann officiating. Special music of "When the Morning Comes" and "It is Well with My Soul" was sung by Iris Moreland and accompanied on piano by Lois Wissmann. "Amazing Grace" was played on bagpipes by Rob Bowness. Committal prayer and interment were in the Myers Cemetery, Oates, Missouri. Casket bearers were Jeremiah Mandrell, Rocky Chandler, Richard Durnson, Jack Estes, Joe Estes and J.C. Seals. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Minnie Heflin Minnie Heflin was born May 13, 1925 in rural St. James, Missouri to Ella and George Sieber and passed away August 12, 2014 at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 30 days. Minnie grew up on a farm and attended school at Ferndale, a one-room schoolhouse. The day after she turned 16, Minnie went to work with her mother at Rice Stix factory in St. James, Missouri to help save the family farm during the depression years. That began her 70-year love of employment. Minnie married Eddie Mitchell in 1946 and to this union two children were born, Jim and Bonnie. She later married Harl D. Heflin in 1952 and to this union four children were born, Harl Jr., Mark, Kathy and Jody. Minnie worked hard her whole life so her children and grand- children could have an easier life than she did growing up. She worked at different factories, stores and ran a licensed day care from her home while her children were growing up in St. Louis County. When the youngest became teens she then started a career in healthcare working as a CNA. The family returned to St. James, Missouri in 1973. She retired from the Missouri Veterans Home only to return to work six months later to continue working as a CNA and then becoming a CMT. In her later years she became a caretaker to the elderly in their homes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ella (Lambeth) and George Sieber; her first husband, Eddie Mitchell and her second husband, Harl D. Heflin Sr. on October 27, 1997; infant sisters, Mary and Anna and sister, Augusta Hanna on May 1, 2007. She is survived by her six children, Jim Mitchell and wife Alice of Springfield, Missouri, Bonnie Chatman and husband Henry of St. James, Missouri, Harl Heflin and wife Linda of Jefferson City, Missouri, Mark Heflin and wife Lynn of St. James, Missouri, Kathy Boehm and husband Joe of Rolla, Missouri and Jody DeLuca and husband David of Vichy, Missouri; sister, Katherine Meurer of St. James, Missouri; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel with Lynn Huggins officiating. Pallbearers were David DeLuca III, Wes DeLuca, David DeLuca IV, Hank Chatman, Rowe Heflin and Nathaniel Mitchell. Burial was in the family plot in the Matlock Cemetery in rural St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Leonard Joseph House Leonard Joseph House of Cuba, Missouri was born on March 13, 1947 at St. Louis, Missouri to Louis Albert and Ida Mae (nee Fatka) House and passed away Monday, August 11, 2014 at the age of 67 years. Leonard served in the United State Marine Corps from April 1964 until January 1972. He earned the rank of Sgt and was award the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast-70, Rifle Marksman Badge and Pistol Expert Badge. Leonard married Barbara Terrill on November 28, 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. After Leonard got out of the Marine's he went to work as an investigator for St. Louis City, then he worked as a security manger for K-Mart and ended his career as a Criminal Investigator for the State of Missouri. After retiring Leonard became a substitute teacher for the Crawford County R-II School District. Leonard was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Cuba, St. Paul's Lutheran Church Men's Club, the VFW Post #7147, American Legion Post #522 and the former Cuba Eagles Club. He put on sport camps, helped with Vacation Bible School and dinners at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Leonard enjoyed fishing, reading, gardening, painting and mowing grass. In 2013 Leonard was in charge of the Marine Ball that was held at the VFW Post #7147. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Ida Mae House; three brothers, Louis "Luke" House, John House and Michael House; one infant and sister, Jacqueline House. He is survived by his wife, Barbara House of the home; children, Lisa Ann and husband Tim Ettinger of Cuba, Missouri, Lance A. and wife Lisa House of Camdenton, Missouri, Captain Lou Lysengen and fiancˇ Asmir Catic of St. Louis, Missouri, Jacquelyn "Jackie" and husband Jeff Sansone of Cuba, Missouri, Michael Goehri of St. Louis, Missouri and Lisa Marie Goehri of St. Louis, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jake Ettinger, Gabby House-Lee, Trenton House, Jessi Ettinger, Jon Ettinger and Stephanie Sansone; mother-in-law, Ruth M. Terrill of Cuba, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Mark and wife Kim Terrill of Wildwood, Missouri and Doug and wife Kathy Terrill of Wildwood, Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Kathy House of Cuba, Missouri, Linda House of St. Louis, Missouri and Ann and husband Allen Rabbermann of Oakville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Sunday, August 17, 2014 from 3-6 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with a 6 p.m. VFW Post #7147 service. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2014 at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cuba, Missouri, with Pastor Joe Ed Pederson officiating. Interment, prayers and full military honors was held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 18, 2014 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Gary Lee Jeffers Gary Lee Jeffers was born on October 22, 1946 to Wren and Rhea Legget Jeffers in Pike County, Illinois and passed away on July 28, 2014 at the age of 67 years, 9 months and 6 days. Gary worked with Metro Link in St. Louis, Missouri as a security guard. He served his country in the military. He is survived by one sister, Nancy Dillard of St. James, Missouri; one niece, Jennifer Bedrosian of St. James, Missouri; three nephews, Matthew Dillard of St. James, Missouri, Jared Jeffers of Belleville, Illinois and Joshua Jeffers of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Graveside services with full military honors were conducted on Monday, August 4, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Jefferson Barrack Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Fleda Allene Litty Fleda Allene Litty, nee Vaughn, of Beebe, Arkansas, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri was born Thursday, February 26, 1914 in Sligo, Missouri to Albert Mitchell and Rosa Belle King Vaughn and passed away Monday, August 11, 2014 at the age of 100 years, 5 months and 13 days. On September 4, 1937, she and Jake Litty eloped and were married at Farmington, Missouri and to this union one daughter was born. Fleda spent over 40 years helping in any way at the Berea Temple Assembly of God Church and in most recent years the Trinty Tabernacle Assembly of God of St. Louis. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Rosa Vaughn; her husband, Jake Litty; two brothers, Carl Vaughn and Albert "Lee" Vaughn and one sister, Betty Ellis and husband Jess. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jean Litty-Webb of Beebe, Arkansas; one granddaughter, Carol Jean Westergren and husband Michael of Beebe, Arkansas; two great grandchildren, Nathaniel Crump and wife Jessica and Caleb Crump; three step-great grand- children, Tara, Krista and Stephanie; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. A Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Ron Carnett and Pastor Richard Stamey officiating. Special CD music of "Going Home" was played and the Ozark Alliance made up of family members played and sang "Homecoming." Other music of "How Great Thou Art" was played by Paul Sanders on guitar with the congregation joining in. A special poem One Hundred Years of Love was read by Martha Hanks. Committal prayer and interment were in the Roberts Cemetery, located in rural Sligo, Missouri. Music of "In the Sweet By and By" was played by the Ozark Alliance and Ruth Cannon shared a poem. Casket bearers were Jerry Henry, Nathaniel Crump, Steve Lansing, Tim Bourisaw, Caleb Crump and Dennis Vaughn. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Robert Louis Malone Robert Louis Malone of Rolla, Missouri was born August 10, 1920 in McMinnville, Tennessee to Yancy and Mary J. Dixon Malone and passed away August 14, 2014 at the age of 94 years. Robert Malone is a World War II veteran. He was united in marriage to Jewel Roberta Louise Hays. Robert was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of St. James, Missouri. After serving our country in WWII, he was a successful grocer. After his retirement he became a Senior Companion where he made many lifelong friends. Robert Malone had two sisters Wilma and Lila and two brothers Wallace and James "Hobby." He was preceded in death by his parents, Yancy and Mary Malone; sisters, Wilma who passed away in infancy, Lila McGlothlin; brother, James; two wives, Jewel "Tine" and Virginia; and a daughter, Roberta "Bert" Hays. He is survived by his grandsons, Ronnie and Paula Brandt of Kevil, Kentucky, Robert and Melinda Walker of Rolla, Missouri, Susan and Robin Hinson of Rolla, Missouri, John Street of St. James, Missouri; 19 great grandchildren; 17 great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation from 1:30 p.m. on Sunday August 17, 2014 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri until time of the service at 3:30 p.m. with Father Charles Pardee officiating. Graveside services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Monday August 18, 2014 at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. David Harold Oprean David Harold Oprean of St. James, Missouri was born January 23, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri to Leo and Roxie Oprean and passed away Monday, August 11, 2014 in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 69 years. David came to St. James in 1988 to raise his family in a fresh and wholesome environment, and had a farm just north of St. James. He was the Vice President of Tile Town Carpet City in St. Louis, Missouri during part of the 1970's. He then went on to own and operate the largest wall covering supermarket chain in Missouri during the 1980's with nine stores in Missouri. David started and ran successfully Artistry Carpet in Rolla, Missouri and later created the Flooring Factory Outlet in Saint James, Missouri. David loved to cook, fish, hunt and loved Cardinal baseball. He is survived by his fiancˇe of the home, Valerie M. Strange; his daughters, Ronda Oprean of Hillsboro, Missouri, Tammy Carroll and husband Tim of Oakville, Missouri and Latricia Juneau and husband Tommy of Rolla, Missouri; grandchildren and great grand- children, Sarah, Hillary, Seth, Leo, Luke, Bradley, Nevaeh, Ava Grace and Lil' Parker; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Friday, August 15, 2014 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment was at the Southard cemetery north of St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of James & Gahr Mortuary of Saint James, Missouri. John Edward Phillips Jr. John Edward Phillips Jr. of St. James, Missouri was born on December 4, 1956 in Fort Dix, New Jersey to John Edward and Patricia Wilson Phillips and passed away at the age of 57 years, 8 months and 10 days. He was united in marriage to Karen L Meyer on June 30, 1990 in Witchia, Kansas. He loved bike riding, fishing, hunting and golfing. He was a former St. James School Board Member; was a city councilman and was currently on the Park Board. John was an active member of the Sports Club, former President of the Sports Club. He also coached youth sports for years. He coached youth football, baseball, soccer and basketball. John was the General Manager of Grellners. He was preceded in death by his father, John Edward Phillips. He is survived by his wife of the home, Karen L. Phillips of St. James, Missouri; two sons, John Edwards Phillips III of Sedalia, Missouri and Michael William John Phillips of St. James, Missouri; mother, Patricia Wilson Phillips of Tucson, Arizona; two brothers, James Phillips and Dave Phillips of Tucson, Arizona; four sisters, Sandy Phillips and Janet Phillips of Tucson, Arizona, Mary Phillips of Cuba, Missouri, and Delores Vermillion and husband Dee of Sierra Vista, Arizona; other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be conducted on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Father Rod Edwards officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Christopher Wayne Taylor Christopher Wayne Taylor was born on Friday, October 26, 1990 in Red Bluff, California to Wayne Christifer Taylor and Ann Marie Dufer and passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at the age of 23 years, 9 months and 17 days. Christopher's soul mate was Tasha Eaton of Steelville, Missouri. Christopher was employed at Aerosols Manufacturing in Sullivan, Missouri for five years. Christopher loved math and science and was eighth grade Valedictorian in Cuba Middle School. His hobbies were camping, swimming, photography and playing cards and video games. He was soon to begin a new job at Fidelity. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne Taylor and Ann Marie Dufer. He is survived by his soul mate, Tasha Eaton, of Steelville, Missouri; his sisters, Sarena Taylor, Rayanna Taylor, and Megan Taylor, all of Steelville, Missouri; step-mother, Tracy Taylor of Steelville, Missouri; grandparents, Harry and Charlotte Taylor of Cook Station, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial service was held Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Reverend John Cramer officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. George Roland Wilcox George R. Wilcox was born in 1928 to Harry and Catherine (Schwebel) Wilcox and passed away on Monday, August 4, 2014 at the age of 86 years. The family resided in an area outside of Sullivan, Missouri known as Pump Hollow, where his parents ran a local dairy farm. He later moved with his mother and brother to Colorado for a short time, after his father passed away. At 10 years old, he sold newspapers in Estes Park and lived on a parsnip farm in Greeley. He and his family returned to Sullivan where he attended St. Anthony Catholic School and Sullivan High School. He helped support his mother by working as a dry cleaning presser and delivery boy. At 16, "Butch" bought a Model A Ford and proceeded to court Doris (Betty) Stevens and they later married. George went to work at the Fuller Watch Repair where he learned the trade that would direct his life: watch repair and eventually the jewelry business. He and Walter Smith, a fellow watchmaker, bought out Mr. Fuller. In time, he bought out Walter "Smitty" and along with creating Wilcox Jewelers at 122 W. Main St., Sullivan, Missouri. In 1984, he purchased the Peoples Bank building and moved to his present location at Wilcox Jewelers. His nephew, Raphael Dorr and family-friend, Bob Carollo, joined him in his business and growth continued. Eventually, other family members joined the shop: sons Glenn and Brian, daughter Lisa, daughter-in-law Marlys and granddaughter Heidi. George was an original member of the Board of Directors of the Sullivan Community Hospital. He served with the Lions and Kiwanas Clubs and on the board of the Meramec State Bank. He was involved with the City Planning Council, was instrumental in raising money for the Downtown Bandstand and supported the project for the Beautification of Downtown Sullivan. George was an elder in the church, having served as an usher for probably 50 years. As a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church since being baptized, he was actively involved in the building of the new church, often chaired the team that called homes for funding drives, donated jewelry items to the annual summer church picnic for auction, was vital to the picnic planning committee and chaired the selling of tickets for the various raffles for many years. He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Glenn Wilcox of Sullivan, Missouri and Brian Wilcox of Sullivan, Missouri; daughters, Valerie AufderHeide of St. Peters, Missouri and Lisa Coonan of Tallahassee, Florida; daughter-in-law, Marlys Wilcox; grandchildren, Morgan AufderHeide of O'Fallon, Missouri, Lydia Stack and her husband, Jonathon of St. James, Missouri, Heidi Wilcox, Clark Wilcox and Madeline Wilcox; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 2-5 p.m. at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral Mass was Monday, August 11, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ Copyright. 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