Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of August 28, 2019 Karen Elaine Blair Karen Elaine Blair (nee Hovis) of Cuba, Missouri was born on Tuesday, September 28, 1954 in Flat River, Missouri to Richard and Betty Fern Wheelehon Hovis and passed away on Monday, August 19, 2019 at the age of 64 years, 10 months and 22 days. Karen married Steven A. Blair on June 26, 1976 in Potosi, Missouri. Karen worked in Food Service at the Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Missouri for 34 years and retired as the dietary manager. She was a member of the Amazing Grace Church in Cuba, Missouri and loved her church family. She enjoyed reading, especially the Bible, watching St. Louis Cardinal ballgames and John Wayne movies. She also liked working crossword puzzles. She had a sense of humor and was fun to be around. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Hovis and Betty (David) Lawson; brother, Bobby Hovis; and sister-in-law, Tami Hovis. She is survived by her husband, Steve Blair of Cuba, Missouri; daughter, Brandi and husband Eric Grindel of Cuba, Missouri; son, Matt Blair of Potosi, Missouri; grandchildren, Jaylin, Tristin and Jacob Grindel of Cuba, Missouri; brothers, Richie Hovis of Park Hills, Missouri and John and wife Jennifer Hovis of Desloge, Missouri; sisters, Vennie Gerber and Beth Hovis of Desloge, Missouri; brother-in-law, Brian and wife Amy Blair of Cadet, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 5-8 p.m. at the Amazing Grace Church in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Amazing Grace Church in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Gary Mace officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Zachariah Justin Brown Zachariah Justin Brown of Cuba, Missouri was born Monday, January 30, 1984 in St. Louis, Missouri to Richard Jr. and Robin and passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at the age of 35 years. Zachariah married Jessica McMillian on May 16, 2008 adding to the family their only son, Justin Ronald-Hoyt Brown. Zach loved his son Justin immensely. Zach had a beautiful genuine smile. He enjoyed playing pool and loved the outdoors. Zach loved his music, and he knew the words to every song! (he loved singing too.) He loved life, always had a song in his heart. He was a great friend to many. Zach always had pride in his work, always giving his all trying to be the best he could be. Zach had a quick wit and wonderful writing skills. He would always write the most wonderful things in any card that you would receive from him. Hallmark would have loved him. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard Ronald Brown Sr. and Delores Patricia Brown; and favorite four-legged friend, Blue Boy. He is survived by his son, Justin Ronald-Hoyt Brown; father, Richard Ronald Brown Jr; mother, Robin and husband Hoyt McPherson; brother, Jeramie Brown; sister, Lori and husband, Jody Mariani; grandparents, JoAnn Brown Harold "Bob" Brown; uncles and aunts, Bob and Peggy Brown, Marty Brown, Brad Brown, Dawn Litzau and Gwen Sheedy; cousins, Mike and wife Carrie Litzau, Jennifer and husband Jason Hickmott, Jeffrey and wife Sarah Brown and Becky Brown and Hunter; other relatives and friends. Memorial visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with eulogy by Jessica Brown. Inurnment will follow at the Mounts Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Loretta L Cowling Loretta L. Cowling of Cuba, Missouri was born Saturday, September 26, 1942 in Franklin County, Missouri to Lewis S. and Wilma Marie (nee Pollack) Rutz and passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at the age of 76 years. Loretta graduated from Cuba High School in May of 1960. On November 19, 1960, at Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba, Missouri Loretta married John Cowling. In 1965 Loretta went to work at Sears and Roebuck selling TV's and radios. January of 1966 Loretta became the clerk at the Southwest Missouri State Telephone in Wentzville, Missouri. She was promoted to supervisor and earned $1.50 an hour. They moved to Warrenton in 1970 and she became the regional manager of Contel Ð U.S. Corp. March 1983 they moved to Lake St. Louis and Loretta worked in Clayton, Missouri at the regional office. 1990 they moved to Carmel, Indiana and Loretta was the manager of marketing for GTE. Loretta was sent to Irving, Texas to work on the reengineer project. Loretta and John purchased a farm in Cuba in 1985. After retiring in 1993 they built their current home in 1996. They traveled from 1993 until 1996 in a fifth wheel trailer, wintered in Florida from 1995 until 2007. Loretta was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Missouri Republican Women's and Committeewoman for Crawford County. In her spare time, she enjoyed golfing, fishing and ATV trips. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Wilma Rutz; husband, John Cowling, who passed June 11, 2019; and two brothers-in-law, Robert and William "Bill" Cowling. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Cowling of Cuba, Missouri; siblings, Patricia "Pat" and husband Paul Maerli of Cuba, Missouri, Glen and wife Jane Rutz of Lyon, Mississippi, Joseph and wife Cheryl Rutz of Washington, Missouri, Mary Rutz of Cuba, Missouri and Charles and wife Betty Rutz of Fayetteville, Arkansas; two sisters-in-law, Gayla Cowling of Dillard, Missouri and Joyce Cowling of Rolla, Missouri; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Celebration of Mass was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Cuba, Missouri with Father Dan Lueckennotte as celebrant. Interment and prayers followed was at the Oak Hill Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Elenora Marie Hart Elenora Marie Hart of Owensville, Missouri was born on September 4, 1931 to Ben and Bertha (Branson) Bock at Bland, Missouri and passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at the age of 87 years. She married Bill Hart on December 23, 1951 at Bland, Missouri. Elenora was a member of VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Owensville, M issouri and she enjoyed reading and fishing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Bertha Bock; brother, Eldon "Bud" Bock; sister, Verna Breece; and brothers-in-law, Elwood Aytes and Charles Breece. She is survived by her husband Bill of the home; son, Mark Hart and wife Lisa of Hillsboro, Missouri; sister, Rosella Aytes of Cuba, Missour; sister-in-law, Mary Bock of Owensville, Missouri; grandchildren, Zachary, Shane and Brianna Hart; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at the Gottenstroeter Chapel in Owensville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Gottenstroeter Chapel in Owensville, Missouri with Rev. Les Dority officiating. Burial was in the Bland Union Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Betty Jane Herberger Betty Jane Herberger of Cuba, Missouri was born to Jack E. and Anna M. (Wilson) Britton on November 4, 1948 in Cuba, Missouri and passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at the age of 70 years. Betty Jane married Robert L. Herberger on November 2, 1996 in Rolla, Missouri. Betty Jane retired from Mar-Bal in 2003, after several years of dedicated service. She enjoyed sewing, traveling, gardening and car rides to see the deer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Anna Britton; two brothers, Edward and Gerald Britton; two sisters, Connie Britton and Jackie Daugherty; and one step son, Robert Herberger II. She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Herberger; two sons, Robert and wife Tracy Wilson and Tracy and wife Cynthia Wilson; one sister, Janet and husband Gary Brakefield; two brothers, Gary Britton and Michael Britton; one aunt, Edwina Britton, all of Cuba, Missouri; one step son, Randall and wife Sarah Herberger of Owensville, Missouri; eight grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2019 at Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Don Martin officiating. Interment followed at the Skaggs Cemetery in Huzzah, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Thomas "Tom" J. Shasserre Thomas "Tom" J. Shasserre of Chamois, Missouri was born February 2, 1954 in Rolla, Missouri to Frank and Georgetta "Chick" (Kamler) Shasserre and passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the age of 65 years. Tom was a 1972 graduate of Cuba High School and later received his B.S. in Agricultural Science from the University of Missouri. Tom worked as an area real estate appraiser, owning and operating his own business, Osage Appraisals, before retiring. On February 12, 1994 Tom married Marsha Hassler at the Oklahoma Church of Christ. Tom was an active member of the Oklahoma Church of Christ serving as a deacon and treasurer. He enjoyed fishing, gigging on the Gasconade River, farming and coaching his children's basketball teams. He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgetta "Chick" Shasserree. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Marsha Hassler Shasserrre; one son, Seth Shasserre and wife Katie of O'Fallon, Missouri; two step sons, Tom Frank and wife Jennifer of Linn, Missouri and Matt Frank and wife Stacie of Linn, Missouri; one step daughter, Jessie Boehm and husband Zach of Westphalia, Missouri; father, Frank Shasserre of Cuba, Missouri; one brother, Paul Shasserre of Cuba, Missouri; two sisters, Sharon Bell and husband Russ of the state of North Carolina and Michelle Hughes and husband Matt of St. Clair, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Kennedy Frank, Karley Frank, Tyler Shasserre, Kale Morgan, Ryann Frank, Brooks Boehm, Sydney Shasserre, Kash Boehm and Knox Frank; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at the Morton Chapel in Linn, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 19, 2019 at the Oklahoma Church of Christ with Mark Gregor officiating. Interment followed in the Oklahoma Church Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Morton Chapel in Linn, Missouri. Kathy Marie Suttles Kathy Marie Suttles of Cuba, Missouri was born on Friday, July 12, 1963 in Portageville, Missouri and passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at the age of 56 years, 1 month and 9 days. Following graduation from Rittner High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Kathy worked many summers at Value Plants Nursery in Fenton, Missouri. She was a member of the MO Stream Team in Fenton, Missouri. She enjoyed working with plants, jigsaw puzzles and painting woodworking crafts. She loved all things water, camping and outdoors. She enjoyed listening to the old rock station KSHE95 and she loved her dogs dearly. She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Mills; infant brother, Gary Suttles; and special friend, Michael Bloecher. She is survived by her daughter, Samantha Suttles and fiance Steve Walters Jr. of Fenton, Missouri; mother, Dorothy Whitley Mills of Cuba, Missouri; brothers, Mark Willmore of Cuba, Missouri and Michael (Sandra) Suttles of Festus, Missouri; other relatives and friends. No services were held. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. John Dorsey Vandegriffe John Dorsey Vandegriffe of Owensville, Missouri was born on May 14, 1948 at Benkleman, Nebraska to George and Eula (Johnson) Vandegriffe and passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at the age of 71 years. He married Ivina Withington on May 12, 1978 at Wray, Colorado. John was carpenter by trade and he owned and operated along with his family the Vande's Donut Shop in Owensville, Missouri for about four years. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, water skiing and pitching horseshoes. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula Vandegriffe; and one grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Ivina of the home; children, Michael Keith and wife Sharon of Amarillo, Texas, Richard Vandegriffe and wife Tandy of Owensville, Missouri, Dana Gooch and husband Paul of Owensville, Missouri, Joshua Vandegriffe and wife Shannon of Cuba, Missouri, Jason Vandegriffe and wife Jessica of Owensville, Missouri and Taffiney Newbound and husband Joseph of Belle, Missouri; sisters, Janice Knapp and husband Tim of Atwood, Kansas, Penny Cline and husband Alan (Chip) and Pam Vandegriffe, all of Colby, Kansas; 24 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20 at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Shirley Ann Wright Shirley Ann Wright of St. James, Missouri was born on November 2, 1934 to Charles LeRoy and Berniece Beulah Mitton Edwards in San Antonia, Texas and passed away on June 21, 2019 at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 23 days. She married Harold Dana Wright on July 18, 1953 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. She worked in an accounting department for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Berniece Edwards; one brother, Charles Leroy Edwards Jr.; and one sister, Francis Southard. She is survived by daughter, Nancy Dovnovan and husband, Raymond of St. Roberts, Missouri; son, Robert Dana Wright of Detroit, Michigan; six grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Reverend Amy Turner officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, 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