Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of September 26, 2018 Norman Roberts Ahlheim Norman Roberts Ahlheim of Robertsville, Missouri was born on April 17, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri to Armen and Irene (Roberts) Ahlheim and passed away on Monday, September 10, 2018 at the age of 81 years. He was employed by Boeing Aircraft for 36 years, retiring on March 30, 1997. Norman married Angela Paradout and she preceded him in death. He then met and later married Mary Courtway on October 22, 1997. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. He was preceded in death by his parents, Armen and Irene Ahlheim; and fourth wife, Angela Ahlheim. He is survived by his wife, Mary Courtway of Robertsville, Missouri; one son, Guy Ahlheim of Georgia; three daughters, Tamra Meyers of Georgia, Kim Franklin and husband Andy of Georgia and Tina Baker of Florida; three step children, Scott Bardot of Robertsville, Missouri, Patricia Bacon of New Mexico and Amber Crossland and husband Jeff of Aurora, Missouri; six grandchildren, Amanda Helms and husband Matt, Jeffrey Ahlheim, Matthew Franklin, Dusty Franklin, Kelly Ann Meyers and Garry Blaine Meyers; eight step grandchildren, Gianna and Joslynn Bacon, Landon Oshia, Jalisa, Jeffrey and Talisa Crossland, Robert Lee Maxwell Bardot and Scott Bardot Jr.; four great grandchildren, Hunter and Destinie Helms, and Carolina and Marley Ahlheim; one brother, Kenneth Ahlheim and wife Kathy of Sullivan, Missouri; two sisters, Janet Harmon and husband John of Bourbon, Missouri and Ruth Ahlheim of Bourbon, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Graveside services were held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2018 at the Crow Cemetery in Sullivan, Missouri with full military honors and Pastor Chester Lahmann officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Barbara Sue Beck Barbara Sue (Smith) Beck of Rolla, Missouri was born April 8, 1944 in Shannon County to Thomas L. and Joy E. (Dooley) Smith and passed away September 15, 2018 the age of 74 years. She married Larry W. Beck on June 22, 1963. They spent 48 years together before his passing in November 2011. She enjoyed going to church, cooking and spending time in the garden. She is survived by her sister, Carol Pruett of Rolla, Missouri; brothers, Bill Smith and wife Mary of Salem, Missouri, Ronnie Smith and wife Claudine of Cuba, Missouri and Gerald Smith and wife Sue of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2018 at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem, Missouri with Pastor Billy Miller officiating. Interment was in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Salem, Missouri. Andrew Joseph Destifanes Andrew Joseph Destifanes of Steelville, Missouri was born on Thursday, December 22, 1960 in Bellaire, Ohio to James "Jimmy" and Sue Ann Merryman Destifantes and passed away Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the age of 57 years, 8 months and 17 days. Andrew grew up in Ohio and attended Shadyside Schools. He started brick laying with his father when he was 14 years old. Andrew married Beth Ann Hickman on June 30, 2012 in Branson, Missouri. Andrew worked at Gillespie & Powers, Co. for over 35 years as a brick layer. He was a previous member of Local #9 Brick Layers of Ohio and a current member of Brick Layers Local #1 of St. Louis. He liked to camp, fish, to go floating and to ride his 4-wheeler. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and was a fan of Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr., watching football to cheer on the Steelers and rooting for Pittsburg in general. He loved his dog Molly. He was preceded in death by his father, James "Jimmy" Destifanes; and father-in-law, Leon "Butch" Hickman. He is survived by his wife, Beth Destifanes of Steelville, Missouri; mother, Sue Ann Destifanes of Shadyside, Ohio; daug hters, Courtney Destifanes of Marietta, Ohio and Tesa Destifanes of Shadyside, Ohio; grandchildren, Brooke and Ethan Meeks of Marietta, Ohio; siblings, Jim Bo Destifanes and Robert (Norma) Destifanes, both of Rolla, Missouri, Stevie (Heather) Destifanes, Kim (Bill) Marling and Linda (Brent) Holloway, all of Shadyside, Ohio; mother-in-law, Mary "Gean" (Dale) Young of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Sandra Fink of Branson, Missouri and Jamie (Jeremy) Schneider of Hillsboro, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Michael (Robin) Hickman of De Soto, Missouri and Dale Young Jr. of Steelville, Missouri; beloved pet Molly; other relatives and friends. Visitation and Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. The family chose cremation as the final disposition. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Charles "Ray" Gilliam Charles "Ray" Gilliam was born on July 6, 1984 and passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the age of 34 years. His family and friends remember how he combined his love of collecting old coins and jewelry into a career that allowed him to really love what he was doing and to make a living for his family, while at the same time it was the pleasure he derived from helping others learn the value of the treasures that they owned. Ray cared about people in the purest way. He loved them for who they were and because he wished the best for them, without guile and without asking anything in return. Ray truly enjoyed the little things in life, antiquing, coin collecting, metal detecting, old jewelry and auctions. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ruth Gilliam. He is survived by the love of his life, Deana Gann; children, Cadence Gilliam, Leighton Gilliam, Jon Griffin, Maleik Griffin, Cash Gilliam, Carly Gilliam, Alaina Gilliam, and Charlie Gilliam; mother, Elizabeth Gilliam of Texas; brothers, Shane Gilliam (Stephanie) of Sullivan, Missouri and David Gilliam of Georgia; sister, Ashley Gilliam of Houston Texas; the family dog Hank; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri with Brother Mick Thrasher officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Alice L. Gross Alice L. Gross (nee Young) was born September 26, 1931 in Rolla, Missouri to John Hubert and Grace Kaythran (nee Steppat) Young and passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the age of 86 years. She married Charles Gross on May 18, 1958. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Charles Gross who died on July 31, 1995; and her parents, John Hubert and Grace Kaythran Young. She is survived by her children, Connie J. (Connie) Barron of Paris, Kentucky, Janet Gross of Belleville, Illinois, Donna (James) Scales of Lebanon, Illionis, David Gross of Belleville, Illinois, and Diana Hopkins of Springfield, Missouri; granddaughter, Ashley Renee Gross; great grandson, Isiah Raede; two sisters, Betty Joan Bates and Norma Jean Rekosh; other relatives and friends. Burial was at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the arrangement of George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois. Terry Wayne McMullin Terry Wayne McMullin, of Steelville, Missouri was born on Tuesday, May 25, 1948 in St. Francois County, Missouri to Samuel and Rosemary Thurman McMullin and passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the age of 70 years, 3 months and 12 days. Terry accepted the Lord early in life. He met his girlfriend, Gail Schmidt, in 1987 through her brother Pat Kane and have enjoyed life together ever since. He helped her raise her sons and became a second father to them. He worked at McGinnis Wood Products in Cuba, Missouri as a barrel maker for 15 years and lastly as a cook at Cobblestone Lodge in Steelville, Missouri for over 10 years. Terry was an avid hiker and loved to be outdoors. He loved all animals, especially wolves and was known to take care of the strays around town. Terry enjoyed to cook, to watch Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. He told Gail shortly before passing to tell her sons, "to my sons, thanks for giving me a life." He was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Rosemary McMullin; son, Nick Esparza; brother, Gary McMullin; and brother-in-law, Christopher "Chippy" Daily. He is survived by his significant other, Gail Schmidt of Steelville, Missouri; sons, Johnny Esparza of Steelville, Missouri, Lance Stout and Nino Esparza, both of Granite City, Illinois, Ricky Schmidt of Steelville, Missouri, Joey Schmidt of Cuba, Missouri and Matthew "Babe" Schmidt of St. Louis, Missouri; brother-in-law, Pat Kane of O'Fallon, Illinois; sister-in-law, Linda (James) Clark of O'Fallon, Illinois; 15 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. The family had a private service and chose cremation as the final disposition. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Denise Marion Newkirk Denise Marion Newkirk of Dixon, Missouri was born in Amarillo, Texas to Richard Ruel and Erika Eberline Roberts and passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the age of 37 years. She was a tomboy and loved the outdoors. She loved to ride horses when she was younger and loved dogs. She enjoyed making crafts and especially loved line and two step dancing. She was preceded in death by her mother, Erika Roberts. She is survived by her father, Richard Ruel Roberts (Mary) of Dixon, Missouri; first husband, Todd Davis of Texas; second husband, Shane Newkirk of Dixon, Missouri; daughters, Brittani Elaine Davis of Sullivan, Missouri, Cassidy Lexus Davis of Cuba, Missouri and Megan Elizabeth Newkirk of Dixon, Missouri; brothers, Jessie Roberts (Shelly) of Waynesville, Missouri, Jason Roberts of Dixon, Missouri, Adam Sharp (Julie) of Florida, Bradley Wood of Vienna, Missouri and Jacob Wood of Iberia, Missouri; special grandson, Brantley James Davis of Sullivan, Missouri and niece, Erika Roberts of Dixon, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday September 22, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday September 22, 2018 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri with Jerry Dulle officiating. Burial of the ashes was in the Kinder Cemetery in Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral home in St. James, Missouri. John E. Ransom John E. Ransom of Sullivan, Missouri was born March 11, 1929 to John and Ruby (Ball) Ransom and passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at the age of 89 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ruth (Parks) Ransom on June 21, 2018; parents, John and Ruby Ransom; two brothers, Donald and Larry Ransom; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Watts and Don Sherrill. He is survived by two sons, Joe Ransom and wife Rosemary of Sullivan, Missouri and John Ransom of Manchester, Missouri; two grandchildren, Jessica Ransom and fiancˇ Jamie McCane of Sullivan, Missouri and Matthew Ransom of Manchester, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Alexis Self and Chase Chapman; two brothers, Jimmy Ransom and wife MaDonna of Farmington, Missouri and Michael Ransom and wife Lorene of Cuba, Missouri; four sisters, Margaret Watts of Desloge, Missouri, Charlotte Hall and husband Ray of Fairfield, California, Phyllis Sherrill of Desloge, Missouri and Sue Bess and husband Richard of Desloge, Missouri; sister-in-law, Bonnie Ransom; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Matt Dudley officiating. Interment followed in the I.O.O.F. Memorial Cemetery in Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Charles Lewis "Chuck" Steffen II Charles Lewis "Chuck" Steffen II of Cuba, Missouri was born Friday, November 4, 1949 at Phelps County, Missouri to Charles Lewis and Catherine Mary (nee Menz) Steffen and passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at the age of 68 years. Chuck proudly served in the United States Air Force from July 12, 1968 till July 11, 1972 earning the rank of SGT. He earned the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Longevity Award. Chuck married Darlane "Kay" Nicholas on February 14, 1976 and they were parents of one daughter, Vanessa. Kay passed away on December 9, 1989. On November 18, 2007 Chuck married Gerri "Kay" Brandon. Chuck retired from Georgia Pacific after 25 years of dedicated service. Every morning before work and every evening after work, Chuck took care of his farm, cattle and chickens. He did enjoy watching the Hallmark Channel and the St. Louis Cardinals ball games. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlane Steffen; father, Charles Lewis Steffen; and mother-in-law, Peggy Brandon. He is survived by his wife, Kay Steffen of the home; one daughter, Vanessa and husband Rick Damouth of Rogersville, Missouri; two step daughters, Amber and husband Richard Krider of Quanah, Texas and Kimber and husband Tom Crull of Cuba, Missouri; three grand- children, Colton, Charlianne and Caroline; three step grandchildren, Rylie, Dylan and Tristan; mother, Catherine Lackner of Cuba, Missouri; four sisters, Charlene Goodpasture of Vandalia, Missouri, Carolyn and husband John Gibson of St. James, Missouri, Connie and husband Dennis Warden of Owensville, Missouri and Christy and husband Philip Spinella of Manteo, North carolina; father-in-law, Jerry Brandon of Quanah, Texas; brothers-in-law, Anthony and wife Jana Brandon of Quanah, Texas and Deric and wife Kaylyn Brandon of Quanah Texas; sister-in-law, Jana and husband Darrel Kennon of Vernon, Texas; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Dan Morrison officiating. Special recorded music was "Daddy's Hands," "When I Get Where I'm Going" and "I'll Fly Away." Interment and prayers followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Family served as pallbearers. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, 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