Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of September 1, 2011
John “Johnny” A.F. Bridgeman
John “Johnny” A.F. Bridgeman of Steelville, Missouri was born March 1, 1941
at Gerald, Missouri to John and Ruth (nee Adair) Bridgeman and passed away
Friday, August 26, 2011 at Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 70 years,
5 months and 25 days.
Johnny was united in marriage to Terrell “Teri” (nee Lentz) Georgia in
November 1995 at Oxnard, California.
They moved from California in late 1995 and made their home in Steelville,
Missouri. Johnny worked for the Local #12 Union Hall in California as a
heavy equipment operator. He spent years doing plumbing and worked as a
logger for several years after moving back to Missouri. He enjoyed his
farm in Steelville, working on his tractors and taking care of his cattle.
In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing especially with his grand-
children, listening to Gospel music and spending time with his wife Teri.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Bridgeman; one
sister, Lola Mae Holland; one infant brother, Wayne Bridgeman and one step
son, Keith Georgia.
He is survived by his wife, Teri; two sons, Don and wife Vickie Bridgeman
of Cuba, Missouri and James E. Brown of Magalia, California; two daughters,
Cindy Hice of New Port Richie, Florida and Linda and husband Wade Cross
of Mojave, California; two step children, Kimmie and husband Jimmie McAuley
of Oxnard, California and Kirk and wife Carole Georgia of Coral Springs
Florida; nine brothers, Richard and wife Norma Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri,
Orville and wife Lois Bridgeman of Newberry Park, California, Lawrence
Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri, Haskell and wife Linda Bridgeman of Cuba,
Missouri, Carl and wife Betty Bridgeman of Chetopa, Kansas, Larry and wife
Wanda Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri, Clifford and wife Delphia Bridgeman of
Cuba, Missouri, Rodger, Sr. and wife Brenda Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri and
Lester and wife Glenda Bridgeman of Leasburg, Missouri; three sisters,
Stella and husband Wilbert Buchka of Cuba, Missouri, Beverly and husband
Jay Hanes of Cuba, Missouri and Sharon and husband Dallas Britton of Cuba,
Missouri; caretakers and special nephew and niece, Terry and wife Debbie
Bridgeman of the home; 25 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, August 30, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell
Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the
Mizell Funeral Home with Brother John Ripley officiating. Special music
will be “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and
“Simple Man.”
Pallbearers were Kevin, Hack, Terry, David, Tracy and Steven Bridgeman,
DJ Britton and Brian Hanes.
Interment and prayers followed at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba,
Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.
Roy Harvey Clawson
Roy Harvey Clawson was born November 8, 1937 in Brookfield, Missouri to Vahl
and Oweda Clawson and passed away Thursday, August 11, 2011 at his home in
Sandpoint, Idaho at the age of 73 years.
He graduated from Brookfield High School and the University of Missouri in
Columbia, Missouri. His entire career was spend as an educator and he had the
privilege of teaching two brothers and both of his sons. His first years of
teaching were in Meadville, Missouri. He then taught at Brookfield where he
was a math teacher and a track and football coach. He also taught at Hickman
High School in Columbia and while there obtained his Master’s Degree.
After his stateside experience, Roy began teaching for the Department of
Defense Dependents Schools. He taught in Ethiopia, Africa; Wiesbaden,
Germany; Karamursel, Turkey; Lakenheath, England and Augsburg, Germany.
Upon retiring, he moved to Heidelberg, Germany with wife, Mary, who
continued to teach until her retirement in 2010. They them moved to their
retirement home in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Roy loved his overseas adventures, including traveling for six weeks across
Africa. One of his other experiences included going across Russia on the
Siberian Railway, taking a boat across the China Sea to Japan and then
flying there to Oregon. He has traveled in all the countries of Europe
except Albania. He also enjoyed fishing trips to Canada.
Roy married Mary Ellen Bushie in St. Moritz, Switzerland on January 21, 1980
and to this union two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by four sisters, Arlene, Myrtle, Doris Barron and
Judy Tate and three brothers, Ira Lee, Mervil and Billie.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Brenden of Portland, Oregon and
Cameron of St. Louis, Missouri; three sisters, Luzenia (Clarence) Arthaud of
Wheeling, Neva (Robert) Wombwell of Brookfield, Missouri and Hazel Doss of
Chillicothe, Missouri; four brothers, Robert (Pat) Clawson of Brookfield,
Missouri, Jerry Clawson of Florida, Richard (Trudy) Clawson of Brookfield,
Missouri, Donald (Ann) Clawson of O’Fallon, Missouri and Ron (Julie) Clawson
of Warrensburg, Missouri; mother-in-law, Essie Hale of St. James, Missouri;
sister-in-law, Sandy (Richard) Gilmore of Iowa; three brothers-in-law,
Flavis Borron of California, Larry Tate of Linneus and Steve Bushie of
Eldon, Missouri; his Dinosaur Club buddies in Heidelberg, Germany; other
relatives and friends.
Celebrations of his life will be held at a later date in Sandport, Idaho
and Brookfield, Missouri.
Robert J. Coffman
Robert J. Coffman of Nixa, Missouri, was born February 20, 1935 in
St. Louis, Missouri, to James L. and Ora Fay (Padgett) Coffman and passed
away Saturday, August 20, 2011 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota,
at the age of 76 years.
He was united in marriage on June 13, 1959 in Salem, Missouri to Nan
Christensen.
He was currently owner/operator, with his brother James, of Roberts-Judson
Lumber Company in Salem and Cuba, Missouri.
He was a member of Salem Christian Church in Salem, a member and past-master
of Cuba Masonic Lodge No. 312, Cuba; Scottish Rite Bodies, Joplin; Abou Ben
Adhem Shrine, Springfield and the Royal Order of Jesters, where he served as
Director in 2010.
Bob was an avid reader, history buff, enjoyed being on his pontoon boat and
a great storyteller.
He is survived by his wife, Nan; three daughters, Kimberly Stock and
husband John, Karen Weisman and husband Tim and Kathryn Craft and husband
Mike; two granddaughters, Sarah and Sydney; four grandsons, John Robert,
Grant, A.J. and Eli; a brother, James L. Coffman and wife Mary; two cousins,
Jay Padgett and wife Mindy and Julia Padgett; a sister-in-law, Janet Rogers
and husband Arvy; other relatives and friends.
Memorial graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2011
in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Salem, Missouri under the direction of the
J.D. Lee and Sons Funeral Home, Rogersville, Missouri.
Vera Aline Poole Kehr
Vera Aline Poole Kehr was born on December 18, 1920, in Kirkwood, Missouri,
and passed away August 29, 2011 at the age of 90 years.
Vera graduated from Kirkwood High School and Miss Hickey’s Business School.
She married Archie and helped him in his newspaper delivery business in
St. Louis County. They moved to rural Steelville in the early 1970’s where
Vera was able to enjoy her hobbies of fishing, gardening, and quilting. She
was an avid bowler and was active in the Women’s Bowling League. In her
later years, she created many beautiful quilts for her children and
grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie; parents, William and Sarah
Poole and sisters, Willette Scudder and June Lewis.
She is survived by her children, Tim and wife Lorraine Kehr of Redbud,
Missouri, Terry and wife Mary Kehr of New Melle, Missouri, Tessa and husband
Loyal Kaeding of Steelville, Missouri, and Ted Kehr of St. Louis, Missouri;
grandchildren, Amanda Daub and husband Terry of New Melle, Missouri, Terry
Kehr, Jr. of Troy, Missouri, Keri Kaeding and husband Steve Danzer of
Crittenden, KY and Seth Kaeding of Chicago, Illinois; great grandchildren,
Taylor, Hayden, Kelsey and Gus Daub, and Reese, Cole and Graeme Danzer;
other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at Britton-Bennett Funeral Home on Thursday,
September 1, 2011 from 5-8 p.m.
A private graveside service will be held at the Earney Cemetery on Friday,
September 2, 2011. Music will be provided by the family.
Casket bearers will be Loyal Kaeding, John Sherrill, Greg Landwehr, Roy
Kaeding, Don Langley, Seth Kaeding, Terry Kehr, Jr., Terry Daub and Steve
Danzer.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in
Steelville, Missouri.
Opal A. McMillen
Opal A. McMillen nee Ahrens of Owensville, Missouri was born on Saturday,
May 18, 1918 in Bland, Missouri to George and Dora Kruger Ahrens and passed
away on Friday, August 26, 2011 at Frene Valley Healthcare South, Owensville,
Missouri at the age of 93 years, 3 months and 8 days.
Opal worked many years as a seamstress at the shoe factories in Bland and
Owensville, Missouri.
She married Billy E. McMillen in Vienna, Missouri on June 28, 1999.
Her hobbies were cooking, sewing, crocheting, and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Dora Ahrens; husbands,
Shelby Berry and Gilbert Bultmann; cousin, Gladys Rohlfing and a stepdaughter.
She is survived by her husband, Billy McMillen of Belle, Missouri and step
grandson, Sean Nowack of Springfield, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 29, 2011 at Old
Bland Cemetery, Bland, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.
Cenda Lou Melton
Cenda Lou Melton of Cuba, Missouri was born on Wednesday, May 2, 1962 at
St. Louis, Missouri to Ernest Sr. and Shirley (nee Blanton) Melton and
passed away Saturday, August 27, 2011 at her home in Cuba, Missouri.
Cenda started her career of taking care of others many years ago. She
became a Nurses Aid in 1986, Certified Nurses Aid in 1987, Certified Med
Tech in 1992 and graduated from Waynesville Technical Institute in 1996
with her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) degree and she was planning on
going back to school to get her Registered Nursing (RN) degree. Cenda
worked for Cuba Manor for the last 12 years taking care and loving all the
residents. In what little spare time she had she enjoyed camping at Bass,
tubing down the Meramec River, reading and spending time with family and
friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Sr. and Shirley Melton and
two brothers, David and Leroy Melton.
She is survived by her loving best friend and wife, Eva Moore of the home;
son, Roger Melton and girlfriend Ann Fulliam of Cuba, Missouri; two
grandchildren, Nicholas Melton and Crissa Melton Gregory, both of Cuba,
Missouri; three brothers, John Melton of Tacoma, Washington, Bruce and wife
Tammy Melton of Tacoma, Washington, Keith Melton and friend Greg Meyer of
Cuba, Missouri; four sisters, Betty Melton of St. Louis, Missouri, Doris and
husband Thomas Cook of Gillespie, Illinois, Wanda Melton of Tacoma,
Washington and Tina and Herman Rovery of Farmersville, Illinois; second mom,
Mary DeClue of Cuba, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Angie and husband Ron Carl of
Steelville, Missouri and Mary and husband Luis Leija of Rolla, Missouri;
brother-in-law, Johnny and wife Lindsey DeClue of Cuba, Missouri; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the
Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011.
Special music will be “My Best Friend” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
Pallbearers were Ronnie, Johnny, Alberto, Daniel, Thomas and Greg.
Interment and prayers will follow at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba,
Missouri.
Bradley Anderson Payne
Bradley Anderson Payne of Steelville, Missouri was born November 4, 1917 in
Foreman, Arkansas to Elisha Foster and Maybelle White Payne and passed away
Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Missouri at the
age of 93 years.
On October 25, 1940, he was united in marriage to Jewell Rogers.
Bradley served in the U.S. Army as a cook from June 29, 1945 until
January 26, 1946 and was awarded the Victory Medal during WWII.
Bradley was a musician, playing his guitar for local church services as well
as helping in the construction of a local church. He also served as a deacon
and fostered many young children never turning any away. During this time he
was employed by a local farm and later was contracted by a trucking company.
He was also employed by Vitro Products and later worked at Finclair Plating
in St. Louis until retiring and moving to Steelville, Missouri.
He was well known for being a trickster and trying to fool others. He
frequently dragged his family on long eventful summer trips.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elisha and Maybelle Payne; his wife,
Jewell; three children, Glenna Bell Wilson, Billy Ray Payne and Bobby Lee
Payne and three grandchildren, Shelia Rudis, Sherry Campbell and Anthony Payne.
He is survived by his six children, Sherman Earl Payne (late Sandra), Roy
Anderson Payne and wife Mary and Larry Dale Payne and wife Vicki, all of
Steelville, Missouri, Betty Jean Campbell and husband James of St. Louis,
Missouri, Judy Ann Mattingly and husband Richard of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
and Susan Arlene Lunsford and husband Michael of Park Hills, Missouri; 21
grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 10 a.m. until service time and afterwards until 9 p.m.
on Friday, August 26, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville,
Missouri. The American Legion Riders attended as the Honor Guard.
Funeral services were held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Harrison Brown and Rev. James
Campbell officiating. Special music of “Let’s Go Down to the River” and
“Daddy’s Hands” was sung by Bob and Carol Coleman accompanied on piano by
Shirley Brown. Other special music of “I Can Only Imagine” and “He Walked
on Water” was played.
Graveside services with full military honors by the U.S. Army and the
Popular Bluff American Legion was held at noon on Saturday, August 27, 2011
at the Kerns Chapel Cemetery in Popular Bluff, Missouri with Rev. James
Campbell officiating. Music of “The Old Rugged Cross” and “What a Day That
will be” was sung by Betty Campbell, Susan Lunsford, Christine Palmer,
Tammy Moore and Tracey McHugh and accompanied on guitar by Josh Palmer.
Casket bearers were Ray Wilson, Mark Payne, Bradley Lunsford, Leeroy Payne,
Mike Sherman, Terry Mattingly, Jerry Payne and Jeff Mattingly.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.
Sharon G. Pilkenton
Sharon G. Pilkenton of Cuba, Missouri was born to Walter and Mabel G.
(Hester) Holt on November 8, 1943 in Bernie, Missouri and passed away
Friday, August 26, 2011 in her home at the age of 67 years.
Sharon was the co-owner of Pilkenton Residential Care in Cuba. Taking care
of others was something she learned to do at a young age, whether it be her
children, grandchildren or one of the residents she was always there to
help. In her spare time she enjoyed antiques, gardening, woodworking and
being an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mabel Holt; husband,
Norman W. Mahaney and one sister, Brenda Sue Holt.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Pilkenton of Cuba, Missouri; children,
Samuel and wife Christine Mahaney of Springfield, Massachusetts, Andy and
wife Tracey Mahaney of Titusville, New Jersey; John and wife Shari Staples
of St. James, Missouri, Jeff and wife Gale Staples of Cuba, Missouri, Jerry
Staples of St. James, Missouri, Tammy and husband Ray Massey of Cuba,
Missouri, Scott and wife Christy Pilkenton of Cuba, Missouri, Tim Pilkenton
of St. James, Missouri, Rick and wife Dana Pilkenton of Cuba, Missouri, Amy
Dickhoener of Cuba, Missouri; grandchildren, Jessica and husband Jacob
Leeper, Samuel Mahaney, Jr., Abigail, Sophie and Lily Mahaney, Jill
Staples, Shannon and husband Jason Blankenship, Chris and Kim Staples,
Adam Staples, Tony McClain, Shadia Massey, Amber, Jeremy, Josh and wife
Jenny Pilkenton, Maddie Pilkenton, Tiffany, Katy, Hannah, Summer, Morgan
and Harley Pilkenton, Evey, Abby and Chase Dickhoener; great grand-
children, Brooklynn, Letty, Riley, Devonte, Cordasia, Autiana, Aven Lily
and Aubrey; two brothers, Roy and Victor Holt both of Cuba, Missouri;
other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Mizell
Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held on Sunday, August 28, 2011 3:30 p.m. at Mizell
Funeral Home with Andy Mahaney, officiating.
As per her wishes cremation rites will be accorded.
Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba,
Missouri.
Fedora “Dodie” Jeanne Sargent
Fedora “Dodie” Jeanne Sargent of Steelville, Missouri was born
August 22, 1917 in Lusk, Wyoming to Henry Edward and Flossie Pearl
Schofield Wittekind and passed away Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Gibbs Care
Center in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 94 years.
In 1935 at Angola, Indiana, she was united in marriage to Densel Sargent.
“Dodie” was a member of the Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metairie,
Louisiana and a member of the Eastern Star. She always had a very active
life by ice skating and running in her early years and later enjoyed
playing golf and traveling. She also enjoyed sewing, gourmet cooking,
playing Scrabble, reading newspapers and books. She was a number one
“Saints” football fan for many years and had seats on the 50-yard line.
She also enjoyed listening to classical and jazz music.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Flossie Wittekind; her
husband, Densel on November 6, 1993; one son, Joseph Sargent and two
sisters, Patsy Ruth Inoscencio and Vede Vertago.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Cornelius and husband Vernon of
Steelville, Missouri; one son, Larry James Sargent and wife Gail of Lake
Charles, Louisiana; daughter-in-law, Yosh Sargent of Roseville, California;
seven grandchildren, Dionne Patrick of Steelville, Missouri, Katie Patrick
of Jackson, Wyoming, Melissa Sargent of Seattle, Washington, Larry
Sargent Jr. and wife Belinda and Penny Cannon and husband Bill, all of Lake
Charles, Louisiana, Dody Gleason and husband Damon of Vernal, Utah and Tammy
Choates and husband Ben of Bruchmuhlbach, Germany; seven great grandchildren,
Lacey Patrick, James Sargent, Hannah Sargent, Damon Gleason, Jr., Joshua
Gleason, Danye’ Fowler and Daniel Choates; two step great grandchildren, Ryan
and Elizabeth Courmier; two great great grandchildren, Kenzie Gleason and
Roselyn Fowler; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 3 p.m. until service time on Tuesday,
August 30, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special
music of “I Want to Stroll over Heaven with You” and “I Can Only Imagine”
was played and sung by Rev. Jerry Beers. Other music played was “Ave Maria”
and “Hungarian Rhapsody #2.”
Interment will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011 in the
Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in
Steelville, Missouri.
Helen H. Stolte
Helen H. Stolte of Vichy, Missouri was born in Chicago, Illinois to Isadore
and Sarah (Baer) Tandler and passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Phelps
County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri at the age of 87 years.
Helen was united in marriage to George Stolte on March 25, 1945 and to this
union two children were born.
George often joked about taking her to the grocery store and Helen taking
forever, it wasn’t the shopping, but the time visiting with everyone. She
was very out going and never met a stranger.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Isadore and Sarah Tandler and a
son, Norman Phillip Stolte.
She is survived by her husband, George of the home; daughter, Roselia Hoyt
and husband Tom of Lostant, Illinois; brother, Sidney Tandler and wife Elsie
of Chicago, Illinois.
Funeral services were Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the
St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Mike Gorman
officiating.
Interment was in the Hickory Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary.
Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
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