Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of Sept. 4, 2002

Anna C. Blankenship
Anna C. Blankenship of Sullivan, Mo. passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2002
at the age of 81 years.
Mrs. Blankenship was born October 11, 1920 at Japan, Mo. to the late
William and Elizabeth (Schelich) Schmitt. She was the fourth of eleven
children and attended Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic School.
On February 15, 1941 she married Murrell Alfonso Blankenship at Holy
Martyrs and to this marriage ten children were born. Anna was a life-long
resident of the Japan area and for a time was employed by International
Shoe Company and O'Sullivan Industries. She always had much love to give
and was mother and grandmother to so many.
Anna always had something to give to those in need, even when she had so
little. She worked hard to support her family and was generous with
everything she had. When the children were young she sold greeting cards
and ran a bread route to raise extra money. Anna loved gardening and canned
nearly everything the family ate. She also raised most of the meat and
helped with the butchering.
Anna taught through example, sharing when there was little to give. Her
warmth and love was not confined to the Japan area as she often would
extend her love around the world, supporting starving children in Third
World countries. Anna was a strong matriarch who supported her family with
a firm but loving hand. She provided the foundation that her diverse,
generous and loving family is built upon.
Anna will be remembered as a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother
and great-grandmother and will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Anna was a very special person to many people who had a great capacity for
compassion and love.
Though she had a large number of children and grandchildren, she had the
tremendous ability to make each and every one feel special to her, as she
was not only generous with material wealth, but also with her love.
She is survived by six sons, Gene Blankenship and wife Linda of Sullivan,
Norman Blankenship of Union, Mo., Harold Blankenship and wife Polly of
Owensville, Mo., Russell Blankenship and wife Virginia of Rosebud, Mo.,
Curtis Blankenship and wife Sherri of Sullivan, and Roland Blankenship of
Rosebud, Mo.; four daughters, Judy Wright of Owensville, Phyllis LaPlant
and husband Ron of Farmington, Mo., Rita Miller of St. Louis and Connie
Jost and husband David of Sullivan.
Three brothers, Alvie Schmitt and wife Nadine of Sullivan, Raymond Schmitt
and wife Rosemary of Sullivan and Clarence Schmitt and wife Mary Lou of
Marceline; three sisters, Clara Rothmeyer of Gerald, Mo., Virginia Cibulka
and husband Jack of Sullivan and Irene Walton of St. Louis; 31
grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, other relatives including
sisters-in-law Eva Blankenship of Sullivan, Dolores Politte and husband Jim
of Sullivan, Lilly Blankenship of Belton, Mo., Carol Schmitt of Lamar, Mo.
and Evelyn Schmitt of Sullivan, and a host of friends.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband Murrell and grandson, Dion
Wright, by one sister Elsie Schmitt, three brothers, Ralph Schmitt, Virgil
Schmitt and Earl Schmitt (in infancy) and brothers-in-law, Vernon and
Bernard Blankenship.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August
28, 2002 from Holy Martyrs of Japan Catholic Church with the Rev. Father
Donald Carey officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. Visitation
for Mrs. Anna Blankenship was held from 4:30 until 9 p.m. on Tuesday from
the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan. A parish prayer service was held at 7
p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Edna May Gagen
Edna May Gagen nee Benton was born Sunday, January 25, 1914, a daughter of
the late Joseph Shelby Benton and Hannah Louise Benton (nee Fischer), at
Granite City, Illinois.
She entered eternal rest Saturday, August 24, 2002, at the home of her
daughter and son-in-law in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 88 years, 6
months and 29 days.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Gagen; one sister, Edith
Short, two brothers, Frank Benton and Joseph Benton and one half-brother,
Herbert Seipold.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her devoted daughter and
son-in-law, Vickie and Ed Broyles of Indianapolis, Indiana; two brothers,
Noel Benton and wife Madeline of St. Louis, Mo. and Norman Benton and wife
Jean of Marion, Illinois; one sister, Alice Wainscott of Brooklyn, Iowa;
two grandsons, David Broyles and wife Lindsey, and Aaron Broyles and wife
Victoria, one great-granddaughter, Katelynn Hannah Broyles, all of
Indianapolis, Indiana; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Edna May Gagen was in state at 9 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2002, at the
Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo.
Graveside services with interment was held 11 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2002
at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Mo., with Ed Broyles officiating.
All arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home,
Steelville, Mo.

Walter Eugene Goode, Sr.
Walter Eugene Goode, Sr. of Cuba, Mo. was born on April 13, 1933 at Bay,
Mo. to the union of William J. Goode and Jossice May (Sowler) Goode and
passed away at his home near Cuba, Mo. on August 25, 2002 at the age of 69
years, 4 months and 12 days.
In 1964 he was united in marriage to Mercidean Richard in Maine.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Tom Goode
and one sister, Bernice Guntenberger.
He was retired out of the United States Navy after 20 years of service.
Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his wife
Mercidean Goode; two sons Walter E. Goode, Jr. and William Goode; one
daughter Mary Jo Walls; one brother Elmer Goode; one sister Lucille
Rottgen; three grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many
friends.
Walter was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, good friend to
all who knew him and will be sadly missed.
Walter Eugene Goode, Sr. was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Mo. where funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 2 p.m.
with Joyce King officiating. Interment was in the Bourbon Cemetery,
Bourbon, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of the Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Mo.

Virginia E. Ransom
Virginia E. Ransom of Ferguson, Mo. passed away at her home on August 27,
2002 at the age of 76 years.
Mrs. Ransom was born on August 10, 1926 at Leasburg, Mo. to Floyd Edward
and Anna (Bryan) West. In 1944 she moved to St. Louis and worked for a time
at the Mavraco Candy Company. On April 14, 1945 she was married to Richard
E. Ransom at Steelville, Mo., and to their union four sons were born of
which twin sons, Richard Gene and Jerry Lee, preceded her in death at
birth.
Virginia was later employed as a teller at the United Missouri Bank of
Ferguson and retired from there in 1980. She was a member of the First
Baptist Church of Ferguson, and found many hours of pleasure serving the
Lord.
Virginia also enjoyed family trips and fishing. She was known as a person
who never met a stranger, who was incredibly nice, and had a big heart. She
will be remembered and cherished as a woman whose sweet disposition
endeared her to many people.
She is survived by two sons, Don Ransom and wife, Janice, of Phoenix,
Oregon and Bill Ransom ad wife, Paula, of Dallas, Texas; one brother,
Walter West and two sisters, Evelyn Adams and Nadine Waisner, all of
Bourbon, Mo.; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, other relatives,
and friends.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2002
from Crossroads Baptist Church, Leasburg, Mo. with Pastor Jim DeLaCourt
officiating and assisted by Jim Bounds of First Baptist Church of Ferguson.
Interment was in Crossroads Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the
care of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Mo.

Heather Lauren Thorson
Heather Lauren Thorson of Cuba, Mo. was born on October 2, 1985 at Fountain
Valley, California to the union of James Thorson and Joyce Hood Thorson and
passed away on August 29, 2002 at Cuba, Mo. at the age of 16 years, 10
months and 27 days.
Heather was preceded in death by her parents, James and Joyce Thorson.
She was a senior at the Cuba High School and was on the Cuba Girls Softball
Team and ran track.
Those who survive to mourn her passing from this life are her loving
grandmothers Eleanore Thorson and Beverly Hood; sister Nicole Hood; aunts
and uncles, Cathy and Dennis Hattersley and Cindy and Jim Hopkins; cousins,
other relatives and many friends.
Heather was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, good friend to
all who knew her. Although she was with us for a brief time she will also
be in our hearts.
Heather Lauren Thorson was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Mo. where funeral services were held on Monday, September 2, 2002 at 10
a.m. with Father James Finder officiating. Interment was in the Valle
Cemetery, Brainerd, Minnesota. Memorials to the Cuba Girls High School
Softball Team. All arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Mo.

Grace M. Warnhoff
Grace M. Warnhoff nee McCrary of Cuba, Mo. was born on September 3, 1910 at
St. Clair, Mo. to the union of William F. McCrary and Mary F. (Sunerdick)
McCrary and passed away on August 30, 2002 at the Missouri Baptist
Hospital, Sullivan, Mo. at the age of 91 years, 11 months and 27 days.
On September 17, 1931 Grace was united in marriage to Henry Warnhoff at
Cuba, Mo. One son, Robert, was born to this union. They were happily
married until Henry preceded Grace in death on September 3, 1992.
Grace was also preceded in death by her parents, son Robert "Bob" Warnhoff,
grandson Robert "Bobby" Warnhoff, four sisters and two brothers.
She was an active member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Cuba, Mo.,
member of St. James AARP, Ladies Aid, Young at Heart and Christian
Daughters.
Those who survive to mourn her passing from this life are her loving
daughter Lillian Warnhoff-Crow; two granddaughters Joy Burr and Jan Morris;
five great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; nieces; nephews;
other relatives and many friends.
Grace was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother,
great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be sadly missed.
Grace M. Warnhoff nee McCrary was in state at the Britton Funeral Home of
Cuba, Mo. Funeral services were held on Sunday, September 1, 2002 at 2 p.m.
at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cuba, Mo. with Rev. Roger Schnakenberg
officiating. Memorials to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church Organ Fund. All
arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Mo.

Reverend Eugene D. Waterman
Reverend Eugene D. Waterman of Sullivan, passed away on Thursday, August
29, 2002 at the age of 66 years, 2 weeks and 4 days.
Gene was born on August 11, 1936 to the late Rev. Virgil Waterman and Hazel
Margaret (Young) Waterman in Eldridge, Mo. On November 19, 1954 he was
united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Gann of Lebanon, Mo. and to this union
three children were born. As a young man Gene worked at Bennett Springs;
breaking horses and as a cook at Stampers Frozen Foods. At an early age he
gave his live to the Lord. At the age of 23, being filled with the Holy
Spirit he felt the call on is life to enter the ministry and never looked
back. In his early days of ministry he preached jail services, rallies on
street corners and team revivals with his dad. After evangelizing full time
for several years and pastorates in southern Missouri, Gene accepted the
pastorate at First Assembly of God in Sullivan in 1967. Thirteen years
later he began a new work with Trinity Full Gospel Tabernacle in Sullivan,
which he pastored until his passing.
Gene loved the outdoors, taking care of his cattle, picking berries, riding
horses and fishing. He dearly loved is grandchildren, his large family and
especially his church family. He loved the people of the Sullivan area,
treasuring time with his coffee buddies, local farmers and truck drivers,
who looked him up when passing through town. Our dear husband, father,
grandfather, son, brother, uncle, pastor and friend has went on to his
eternal reward. A faithful soldier has gone home.
He is survived by his wife, Mar E. (Betty) Waterman of Sullivan, two sons,
Donald Waterman and wife, Judi, of Bourbon, Dennis Waterman and wife,
Carole, of Sullivan, one daughter, Deborah Dazey and husband, Andy, of
Sullivan, his mother, Hazel Margaret Waterman of Eldridge, Mo., 13
grandchildren, Jennifer Allen and husband, Terrence, Brandi Buhl, Rachelle
Woods and husband, Jason, Natasha Odle and husband, Randall, Nathaniel and
Caleb Waterman, Adam, Ramona and Aaron Pendegrass, Stephen, Joseph, Sarah
and Jesse Dazey, four great-grandchildren.
Four brothers, David Waterman and wife, Evelyn, of Sleeper, Mo., Joel
Waterman and wife, Ellen, of Denver, Colorado, Rev. Charles Waterman and
wife, Theresa, of Eldridge, Ronald Waterman and wife, Linness, of Lebanon,
two sisters, Ada Canon and husband, Rev. Clifford Canon of Macks Creek,
Mo., Gloria Schultz and husband, Terry, of St. Charles, one brother-in-law,
James Gann and wife, Louise of Belton, Mo., nieces, nephews, extended
family and precious friends. Along with his father, Rev. Waterman was
preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Elwood and Helen Gann, one sister,
Margaret Ann Waterman, and one brother-in-law, David Gann.
Funeral services were conducted 3 p.m. Sunday, September 1, 2002 from
Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Lebanon, Mo. with Rev. Moses Tipton
officiating. Interment was in Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation for Rev. Gene
Waterman was from 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday, at the Eaton Funeral Home in
Sullivan and from 12 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m. at Holman-Howe
Funeral Home in Lebanon. Arrangements were under the care of the Eaton
Funeral Home in Sullivan.


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Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the 
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
<http://www.steelvillestar.com/>

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