Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of August 21, 2002
William Austin Miller
William (Bill) Austin Miller, age 89, of San Antonio, Texas died Thursday,
July 25, 2002. His wife Geraldine Miller preceded him in death in February
2000, after almost 60 years of marriage. Mr. Miller grew up in Cuba, Mo.,
and graduated in business from the University of Missouri in 1937,
specializing in foreign affairs.
In 1940, as newlyweds, he and his wife Geraldine moved to the Philippine
Islands where they were employed in management positions with the Manila
Bus Company. He fought on Bataan, earned the Silver Star for gallantry, and
after the March of Death, was interned in a Japanese POW camp until 1945
where he became blind due to malaria and malnutrition. He was released from
active service in 1946 with the rank of Captain.
The Millers moved to San Antonio in the early 1950's, entered the motel
business and continued their international travels. Mr. Miller organized
the local chapter of the Blind Veteran's Association (BVA) and later served
as its president. He also served as president of the San Antonio Motel
Owners Association and for two terms as national vice president of the BVA.
Mr. Miller had a great love of life, a tireless interest in the world
around him, and an indomitable spirit. He will be remembered fondly by
family and friends and is survived by his niece Marilyn Oliver; his cousins
Harriet Graham and Jane Sullivan and the nieces and nephews of his beloved
wife Geraldine; Joan Fiebelman, Judy Beaty and Roger, Bob, Jim and Gilbert
Cottrell. The family will receive friends Monday night from 6 until 8 p.m.
at Porter Loring.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 30, 2002 at 10 a.m., Fort Sam
Houston National Cemetery, the Rev. Dinah Shelly officiating. Arrangements
with Porter Loring Mortuary.
Raymond Barney Oxendine
Raymond Barney Oxendine was born August 12, 1909 in Cherryville, Mo. He was
one of eight children to the union of the late Thomas Aaron and Laura
Elizabeth (Beetorff) Oxendine.
On February 21, 1934, Raymond was united in marriage with Lettie Jane Murry
in Waynesville. Raymond and Lettie shared nearly 69 years of marriage and
one daughter, Fern.
Raymond worked for many years at Mitchelle's Eye Glass Factory cutting and
polishing eye glass lenses. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with
family and friends.
Raymond departed this life the morning of August 14, 2002 at St. John's
Regional Health Center in Springfield, Mo., at the age of 93 years and 3
days.
He was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by his devoted wife, Lettie,
and his daughter, Fern Crawford, both of Waynesville. He also leaves three
grandsons, Derrell "Sam" Crawford and Susan Covert of Waynesville, Doug and
Christy Crawford of Springfield and James Crawford of Richland.
Also surviving are five sisters-in-law, Pearl Bryant, Mabel Bell, Nettie
Halbert, Dolly Murry and Lilly Murry; two brothers-in-law, Otis and
Lawrence Murry and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by three
brothers, John, Harrison and Ernest and four sisters, Edna, Eura, Ethel and
Rose.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 16 at Waynesville
Memorial Chapel with Rev. Harvey Dye officiating. "Beyond the Sunset" and
"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" were played. Serving as escorts were Mike
Bolinger, Ron Campbell, Doug Crawford and Mike and Scott Fennell. Honorary
escorts were John Bastien, Bobby Malcolm and Bill McCarty.
Burial was in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under
the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.
Blanche Lucille Ryther
Blanche Lucille Ryther (nee Metcalf), 73, of Marshall, Mo., died Monday,
August 12, 2002, at Mar-Saline Manor in Marshall, Mo.
She was born Sunday, March 17, 1929, in Crawford County, Mo., the daughter
of the late Jesse E. Metcalf and Fannie E. Peek Metcalf.
On December 21, 1957, she married Robert R. Ryther, Sr., who survives.
She lived in Saline County since 1969, moving from Cuba, Mo. and was
retired from ConAgra Frozen Foods in Marshall. She was a member of Olivet
FreeWill Baptist Church in Marshall.
Additional survivors include 10 children, Adrian Evans and wife Phyllis of
Catawissa, Mo., Alvie Evans and Renata of Robertsville, Mo., Glenda Johnson
of Hazelwood, Mo., Kay and husband Lawrence Burlage of Huntsville, Mo., and
Robert Koch and wife Joann of Clarence, Mo., John W. Ryther and Bob Ryther,
Jr. and wife Rhonda of Marshall, Mo., Peggy Green of Nelson, Mo., Robin
Bryan, and Rosie and husband Michael Hammer, all of Marshall, Mo., 26
grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; a brother, Elbert Metcalf and wife
Evelyn of Palmyra, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Ruth Metcalf of Lake of the Ozarks,
Mo., Mae Metcalf of Bourbon, Mo.; several nieces, nephews, other relatives
and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers,
Roy, Lester and Joseph Metcalf and three sisters, Ola Boyster, Grace Land
and Irene and husband Cyrus Gahr.
Blanche Lucille Ryther lay in state 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 15, 2002
at the Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home, Marshall, Mo. and 4-8 p.m. Friday,
August 16, 2002 at the Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2002, in the
Britton Chapel, Steelville, Mo. with Rev. Dennis Bowman officiating and
Chrysler Chaplain Singleton assisting.
Serving as pallbearers were Jason Busalaki, Daric Crane, Tony Franklin,
Shad Metcalf, Darren Morgan, Brant Pflum, Justin Starks and Tim Starks.
Honorary pallbearers were Matt Crane, Darrell Metcalf, David Metcalf, Dale
Peters, Joe Pflum, and Jim Starks.
Committal prayers and interment were in Davisville Cemetery, Davisville,
Mo. under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo.
Marguerite Thomeczek
Marguerite Thomeczek of Sullivan, Mo. passed away on Sunday, August 11,
2002 at the age of 84 years.
Mrs. Thomeczek was born in the Spring Bluff area near Sullivan on August
26, 1917 to William and Mary Ellen (Walz) Weiskopf and was the oldest of
eight children. Times being what they were, she helped out with the many
chores on the farm and enjoyed a simple life. She grew up without the
convenience of electricity, and heat came by way of a heating stove and
lights from kerosene lamps, which had to be filled every day. Marguerite
also helped in the family garden and raised and canned as much food as they
could.
She attended the Long Ridge School, which was one room and later went to
Sullivan High School where she received her diploma. In 1935, after her
graduation Marguerite attended college and received her teaching
certificate. She became a teacher and taught for 14 terms and substituted
for 20 terms. A few of the schools where she taught were the Old Beaufort
School, Walbert, Long Ridge, Spring Bluff and a couple of terms in Crawford
County.
On June 7, 1947 she was married to Alexander "Sam" Thomeczek at Saint
Anthony Catholic Church in Sullivan and to this union eight children were
born. They lived for a time in the St. Louis area and in 1950 moved back to
the family farm they had since lived. Marguerite was known as a woman who
would do anything for anyone. She was truly a devoted wife, mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother and will be lovingly remembered by all
who knew her. She was a member of Saint Anthony Parish of Sullivan, member
and leader of the 4-H Club, Spring Bluff Homemakers Club, the Unique Club,
Pink Lady and the Sullivan Hospital and member of the Franklin County
Extension Council.
She is survived by three sons: Ronnie Thomeczek of Bourbon, Mo., Kenny
Thomeczek and wife Terry of Spring Bluff and Tommy Thomeczek and wife Mary
Beth of Spring Bluff; four daughters, Rickie Sue Farris and husband Jim of
Eureka, Mo., Mary Wilmesher and husband Dennis of Union, Mo., Margie Hodge
and husband Harold of Rolla, Mo. and Jane Frolker and husband Curt of
Owensville, Mo.
Three brothers, William Weiskopf, Jr. of Sullivan, Mo., Leo Weiskopf and
wife Jo Anne of Sullivan and Harold Weiskopf and wife Dorothy of Sullivan;
18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, a daughter-in-law Shelby Dunn and
husband Darryl of Spring Bluff, nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends. Along with her husband and parents, a son, Gary Thomeczek, one
brother, Raymond Weiskopf and three sisters, Bernice Thomeczek, Irene
Schmuke and Lorene Helton preceded Marguerite in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13,
2002 from Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Sullivan with the Rev. Father
Theodore Brunnert officiating. Interment was in Laubinger Cemetery, Leslie,
Mo.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home,
Sullivan, Mo. Those who desire may make Masses to Saint Anthony or to the
Laubinger Cemetery Fund.
---------
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
====================================================================