Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of August 26, 2009 Stephen Aberle Sr. Stephen Aberle Sr. was born to Joseph and Helen (Mitzel) Aberle on December 26, 1943 in Kintyre, North Dakota on the family farm where he was raised and passed away on Thursday, August 20, 299 at the age of 65 years. Steve served in the US Navy at Sub Base Pearl Harbor from 1964-1967. He married Patricia Ann Maurer on May 6, 1967 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri and to this union three sons were born. In 1976 they moved to Spring Bluff, Missouri where they lived for 27 years. In 2003, they bought Steve’s dream farm of 41 acres outside of Gerald, Missouri. He was employed as a Union Construction Boilermaker through Local 27 for 35 years until he retired in January 2002. Steve loved spending time with his family, growing a large garden, working with his cattle and helping his neighbors. In 2002 he joined the Owensville Gun Club and enjoyed shooting trap. He was a member of Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church for more than 30 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen; brother, Sebastian; infant brother, James; sister, Adeline Glatt; father and mother-in-law, Bert and Pauline Maurer; two brothers-in-law, Mike Mitzel and John Maurer. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sons, Stephen Jr. (Pam) and their children, Zach and Karli of Owensville, Missouri, Shawn and girlfriend Kellee of Sullivan, Missouri and David (Danielle) and their three children, Nicholas, Nathanial and Cole of Spring Bluff, Missouri; father, Joseph Aberle of Napoleon, North Dakota; four brothers, Leroy (Carmen) Aberle of Herreid, South Dakota, David (Judy) Aberle of Mechanicsville, Iowa, Larry (Sue) Aberle of Glen Carbon, Illinois and Joseph (Lorraine) Aberle of Wishek, North Dakota; two sisters, Marie Mitzel of Coalinga, California and Helen (Markus) Frank of Fargo, North Dakota; brother-in-law, Bill Glatt of Bismarck, North Dakota; three sisters-in-law, Betty Aberle of Napoleon, North Dakota, Nancy (Frank) Hinchy of Somerset, New Jersey and Mary (Jerry) Blanton of Rosebud, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri, from 4-8 p.m. A mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Adele M. Brown Adele M. Brown (nee Veinfurt) passed away Sunday, August 2, 2009. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry W. Brown. She is survived by children, William Bill (Carla) Brown and Lucinda Cindy (John) Ritch; grandchildren, Jeremy (Melanie) Carisa, Hanah and Hunter; great grandchild, Ayden; other relatives and friends. Services were noon on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at the Kutis South County Chapel, St. Louis, Missouri. Interment in the National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. Roland Paul Burke Roland Paul Burke of Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri, was born June 10, 1946 to Barbara and Eugene Burke and passed away August 6, 2009. Roland was a member of the Springfield High School class of 1964 and received his Bachelors degree with honors from Western Illinois University in 1968 and slated to receive the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. Roland was a avid reader, expert crossword and Sudoku puzzle master and lifetime runner, having run 1,000 miles each year and competed in numerous road races. He loved to travel and visited many countries all over the world. He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and Eugene Burke. He is survived by wife, Connie Case Burke; children, Christopher J. Burke and Matthew E. Burke; brother, Charles E. Burke; three stepchildren; seven step grandchildren; other relatives. Remains were cremated and scattered in respect with his wishes. A memorial gathering was held August 15, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois. Roland’s father was born on the Old Burke farm across from the Steelville High School. He was the grandson of Oscar and Ruth Burke and great grandson of J.C. and Martha Burke, all of Steelville, Missouri. He had other relatives around the Steelville area. Halbert “Hal” Lee Clinton Halbert “Hal” Lee Clinton was born March 16, 1920 in Steelville, Missouri to Alice (Halbert) and George Clinton and passed away Friday, August 14, 2009 at Audrain Medical Center. He had been a resident of the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mexico, Missouri since April. He graduated from Steelville High School in 1937. He enjoyed a variety of sports and was an enthusiastic supporter of the St. Louis Cardinals. He served his country in the Navy from 1943 to 1945. He returned to Steelville and worked at the Post Office. During this time, he met Shirley Elzea and they were married on June 18, 1947. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri while Hal attended the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and he graduated in 1952. He and Shirley went to Vandalia, Missouri and bought the Ellis Brothers Drug Store. He operated the Clinton Rexall Drug when the two stores merged in Vandalia. Hal retired in July 1995. Hal enjoyed participating in and watching sports. He was among the founding members of the Vandalia Country Club. During his trips to Alaska he liked to watch his grandchildren play sports. He also liked woodworking, coin collecting and spending time with family and friends. He was a 50-year membership Mason also. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Vandalia, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and George Clinton; his wife Shirley; one brother, George Clinton and one half-brother, Clay Clinton; one sister, Charlotte Clinton and one half-sister, Juanita Clinton. He is survived by two children, Charlotte L. Vilce and husband Rob of Anchorage, Alaska and Marcus L. Clinton of Hannibal, Missouri; three grandchildren, Maija, Eric and Lydia Vilce, all of Anchorage, Alaska. Funeral service was Monday, August 24, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Waters Funeral Chapel, Vandalia, Missouri with Rev. Bob Hoehn officiating. Interment in the Vandalia Cemetery, Vandalia, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Waters Funeral Home, Vandalia, Missouri. Lois Lorraine Diestelkamp Lois Lorraine Diestelkamp of Owensville, Missouri was born in Victoria, Kentucky on March 24, 1925, the daughter of Major and Eunie (Hinton) Barnes and passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville, Missouri at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 25 days. On September 28, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri she was united in marriage to Charles L. Diestelkamp. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Owensville where she taught children’s Sunday School classes for over 60 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; grandson, Jacob Diestelkamp; and brothers, James, Charles and Warren Barnes. She was survived by her children, Bill Diestelkamp and wife Kathlene, Jim Diestelkamp and wife Janet, Mary Diestelkamp, all of Owensville, Missouri, Rick Diestelkamp of St. Petersburg, Florida and Bob Diestelkamp and wife Maretta of St. James, Missouri; brothers, Calvin Barnes and wife Martha of Hansen, Kentucky, Carl Barnes and wife Dean of Sturgis, Kentucky and Buddy Barnes and wife Mona of Hebron, Indiana; sisters, Helen Fletcher and husband Don, Elizabeth Woodruff and Sue Alexander, all of Madisonville, Kentucky; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Visitation was Friday, August 21, 2009 at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Funeral services were Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Owensville, Missouri, with Pastor David Robertson, Duane Berry and Tom Denton officiating with interment in the Owensville City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Elliott Eugene Embry Elliott Eugene Embry of Bourbon, Missouri, was born on December 17, 1954 in Bloomington, Illinois to Julius and Wilma (nee Salmon) Embry and passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2009, at the age of 54 years. He married Sandra Cseve on June 3, 1977, and to this union, a son and daughter were born. Elliott worked as a machinist until an accident left him unable to work. He spent every possible moment involved in his children and grandchildren’s lives, laughing, supporting, and enjoying life. He also was willing to help neighbors when in need. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Wilma Embry and two brothers, Ronnie and Hughe Embry. He is survived by his wife Sandra of the family home; two children, Sarah Louise Greenlee and husband Joshua Greenlee, Sr. and Matthew Embry and fiancé Sarah Parks, all of Sullivan, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Evelyn, Joshua David Jr., Ezekial Aaron, and Zachariah Eugene Greenlee, Matthew Allen Brake, Hailey Renee-Susan and Ethan Elliott Embry; two brothers, Elmer and Francis Embry; sister Mary Ann Butler; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at Concordia Lutheran Church, with Pastor Patrick Runk officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Richard James Jonathan Floyd Richard James Jonathon Floyd of Cuba was born Thursday, April 23, 1992 at St. Louis Missouri to Sharon Cravens passed away Friday, August 21, 2009 at Cuba, Missouri at the age of 17 years, 3 months and 28 days. Richard was known as “Moe” or “J.J.” to his family and friends. He was a very talented artist that could draw anything. He enjoyed having fun and laughing with his friends, skateboarding, fishing, his pet snake “Spike” and was always very sweet and kind to everyone he met. He was preceded in death his step father, Gregory Brice, Sr., step grand- father, John Atwell; other family and friends. He is survived by his mom, Sharon Brice; two brothers, Gregory, Jr. and Nicholas Brice; two sisters, Cheyanne and Cheylinn Brice, all of Cuba, Missouri; grandfather, James and wife Shelly Cravens of Lebanon, Missouri and grandmother Debra Atwell of Cuba, Missouri; uncles, Carry Mabe, Lonnie and wife Tammy Mabe, Patrick and wife Michelle Mabe, Thomas Cravens, Anthony and wife Becky Emily, Richard and wife Savanna Emily and Eugene Ellis; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, August 25, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Britton Funeral Home. Special music was “All By Myself,” “You Don’t Know How It Feels” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Interment followed at St. Trinity Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Faron E. Roark Faron E. Roark was born June 10, 1958 in Mt. Sterling, Missouri to Raymond and Beatrice (Hicks) Roark and passed away Sunday, August 16, 2009 at his home in St. James, Missouri at the age of 51 years. Faron was united in marriage to Laurie Foust Roark on September 9, 1978 and to this union three children were born. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Faron was a classic country music fan; he enjoyed listening to all the old country music and he especially loved Conway Twitty. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Beatrice Roark; brothers, Steve Asher and Roger Roark. He is survived by his wife, Laurie of the home; children, Sherrill White and husband Jason of St. James, Missouri, Faron Roark Jr. of St. James, Missouri, Everett Roark of St. James, Missouri; brothers, Hubert Roark and wife Susan of St. James, Missouri, Marvin Roark and wife Irma Jean of Owensville, Missouri, Charlie Roark of Belle, Missouri; sisters, Oma Picker and husband Mike of Belle, Missouri and Sharon Roark of California, Missouri; six grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the James & Gahr Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service was Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Mick Thrasher officiating. Interment was in the Flag Springs Cemetery. Helen B. Robertson West Helen B. Robertson West of Japan, Missouri was born on February 16, 1917 in a log house near Rosebud, Missouri to William Alvin and Anna May (Schoenhoff) Rose and passed away Monday, August 17, 2009 at the age of 92 years, 6 months and 1 day. She was a 70 year resident of the Japan area but lived for a time as a domestic in St. Louis as a teen. She came back to the Rosebud area and on July 16, 1939 was united in marriage to Roy A. Robertson. He preceded Helen in death on July 20, 1956 when she worked as a cook for the Strain-Japan school district. Her main focus, however, was her children. She was an avid gardener and was an accomplished cook and skilled in canning. Helen also quilted and was able to create a quilt for each one of her children, stepchildren and all of her grandchildren. She loved her faith and was an active member of Holy Martyrs of Japan Parish. On March 1, 1975 she was married to George W. West. She was preceded in death by a son, Lawrence Robertson in infancy; five brothers, Joseph, William, Leo, Walter and Richard Rose; a sister, Dorothy Korpf; and her first husband, Roy. She is survived by her husband, George of the family home; three daughters, Rosalie Elliott of Pacific, Missouri, Barbara Dillon of Bourbon, Missouri and Delores Martin of Crestwood, Missouri; stepdaughter, Janet Isgrigg of Bland, Missouri; two stepsons, Donald West of Leasburg, Missouri and Larry West of Sullivan, Missouri; two brothers, Carl Rose of Bland, Missouri and Edward Rose of Owensville, Missouri; three sisters, Mary Rousset of Gerald, Missouri, Ruth Miller of Owensville, Missouri and Bernice Ketterer of O’Fallon, Missouri; a host of grandchildren; great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2009 from the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2009 from Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church with Rev. Father John Patrick Day, C.P. officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ 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