Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of September 27, 2017 William Joseph "Billy Joe" Auchly William Joseph "Billy Joe" Auchly of rural Montgomery City, Missouri was born April 26, 1928 to Marcus F. and Anna Theresa Cunningham Auchly and passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at the age of 89 years. He was born in the same house that he lived in all of these years. He graduated from Montgomery City High School in 1946 and attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for one year taking agriculture classes. He married Mary Dione Dimond on August 12, 1967 in St. Louis, Missouri and she preceded him in death on January 7, 2011. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Parish Council, Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree; was a Charter member of the Old Threshers Association and of the Montgomery Co. Historical Society and served as President; founding member of the National Montadale Sheep Association; former board member of the Producers Grain Co. and the Montgomery Co. Bank; was County Commission for years; St. Mary's Cemetery Board; was the 9th District Republican Party Chairman; was former President and member of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club; 4-H leader; Tour guide and county historian for the elementary school and adults; was a story teller extraordinaire; enjoyed woodworking and listening to his children play music. He is survived by three children, Christopher Marcus Auchly of Festus, Missouri, Michael Byrne Auchly of Montgomery City, Missouri, and Elizabeth Anne Auchly Kight and husband Kris of Cuba, Missouri; two grandchildren, Gage Cedric Kight and Connor Stephen Kight of Cuba, Missouri; cousin, Mary E. Elkins of St. Louis, Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bill Dimond of St. Louis, Missouri, Paul Dimond and wife Adrienne of Kirkwood, Missouri, Cella Kirchner and husband Russ of Kokomo, Indiana, Mary Roberts and husband James of Webster Groves, Missouri and Tom Dimond of Sunset Hills, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Montgomery City, Missouri. Funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Montgomery City, Missouri. The Reverend Augustine Okoli officiated. Interment was in St. Mary's Cemetery in Montgomery City, Missouri. Casketbearers included the 4th Degree Knights. Honorary casketbearers included Connor Stephen Kight, Bill Cobb, Gene Eldringhoff, Lester Smith, Ralph Uthlaut, Larry Henke, Howard Hollensteiner, Robert Merz, Kevin Schmidt and Keith Schmidt. Arrangements under the direction of the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, Missouri. James Howard Collins James Howard Collins of St. James, Missouri, formerly of Cuba, was born Tuesday, October 15, 1918 at Berryman, Missouri to Perle and Hallie Gertrude (nee Metcalf) Collins and passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the age of 98 years. James proudly served in the United States Navy from January 30, 1942 until October 12, 1953. James served during World War II and the Korean War. He earned the Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal and the China Service Medal. His unit, the U.S.S. Yorktown, received the "Presidential Unit Citation" for extraordinary heroism in action again enemy forces in the air, at sea and on shore in the Pacific War Area. Before leaving for the Navy, James worked at Pete's Midway Motor Company in Steelville, Missouri. After returning home from the war, James went to work inspecting transformers for an electric company in St. Louis, Missouri. On February 11, 1981 James retired from Wagner Electric as a power transformer tester. James married Margaret A. Woods. On January 29, 1972 James married Mary Lou Nichols Trojanowski. After retiring James and Mary Lou moved to Cuba, Missouri. They always planted a garden each year and James was a longtime St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Perle and Hallie Collins; wives, Margaret and Mary Lou Collins; two brothers, Hadley Collins and Delmar Lynton Collins; and one sister, Maxine C. Petz. He is survived by two sons, Howard J. Collins of Jackson, Missouri and Harold J. and wife Laura Collins of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; special niece and caretaker, Dorothy Collins of Steelville, Missouri; step-son, James Floyd McMillen of Viburnum, Missouri; grandson, Alan Collins of Delta, Missouri; granddaughter, Caylee Collins of Jackson, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Don Martin officiating. Special recorded music was "Further Along," "Amazing Grace" and "In the Garden." Interment, prayers and full military honors followed at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Bonnie Sue Dillon Bonnie Sue Dillon of St. James, Missouri was born on May 10, 1938 in Vienna, Missouri to Louis Henry and Maudie Rhea French Koerber and passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 6 days. She married Roy Arthur Dillon on January 2, 1960 in Vienna, Missouri. There were very few rules at Ma-Maw's house for grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but there was lots of singing and reading books. She rocked and sang "You Are My Sunshine" to her grandchildren. When it came to school, she had an independent spirit; sometimes, the rules did not apply to her, just like rules didn't apply to her grandchildren. She would buy her brother and sisters new clothes for each holiday and special event with her weekly earnings from the shoe factory. Meticulous and loyal were two words to describe her. When completing a job, the job would be done to perfection. She helped her husband keep books for their farm and excavating businesses. She loved mowing and working in her yard. She also helped care for the Broadway Memorial Cemetery for over 35 years. She loved her dog, Sparky, and feeding her hummingbirds. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Maudie Koerber; and one brother, Lawrence Koerber. She is survived by her husband, Roy of the home; two sons, Terry Dillon and wife Edna of St. James, Missouri and Gregory Dillon and wife Julie of St. James, Missouri; one daughter, Deanna Jones and husband Richard of St. James, Missouri; two brothers, Leslie "Butch" Koerber and wife Marlene of St. James, Missouri and Joe Koerber and wife Rosemary of Troy, Illinois; three sisters, Viola Anderson and husband Charles of Troy, Missouri, Sharon Sullivan and husband Bill of Lees Summit, Missouri and Sandy Elliott and husband Rick of Fulton, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Charlyn, Brittany, Tess, Chelsea, Shea, Connor, Emily and Kennedy; four great-grandchildren, Landyn, Madi, Dillon, Mallory and Lauren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on September 18, 2017 at the Broadway Baptist Church in rural St. James, Missouri with Stephen Brubaker officiating. "You Are My Sunshine" was sung by Kennedy Jones and Shea Dillon. "Never Alone" was sung by Shea Dillon. "Mansion Over the Hilltop" and "The Old Rugged Cross" were sung by Stephen Brubaker. Jeanette Ashley was the accompanist. Pallbearers were Connor Dillon, Johnny Stroud, Shane Casey, Colin Greeson, Kennedy Jones, Landyn Stroud, Bobby Anderson, and Darrel Koerber. Honorary pallbearers were Dillon Casey, Madi Stroud, Mallory Greeson, Charlyn Stroud, Brittany Casey, Tess, Todd, and Lauren Neimeyer, Chelsea Dillon, Shea Dillon, Emily Jones and Morgan Adams. Burial was in the Broadway Memorial Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Dorothy Marie Ellis Dorothy Marie Ellis of Owensville, Missouri was born in Bem, Missouri on January 2, 1935 to Charles Louis and Pauline (Havelka) Enke and passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the age of 82 years, 8 months and 17 days. She was united in marriage on June 23, 1951 to Ray Eugene Ellis at Pocahontas, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Pauline Enke; her husband, Ray Ellis, and a granddaughter, Castin Ellis. She is survived by three sons, Scot Ellis and wife Liz of Olathe, Kansas, Todd Ellis of Owensville, Missouri and Trent Ellis and wife Lana of Owensville, Missouri; brother, James Enke and wife Marian of Cuba, Missouri; three sisters, Doris Brand and husband Don of Owensville, Missouri, Judy Kuhlmann and husband William of St. Louis, Missouri and Cindy Mercer of New Haven, Missouri; six grandchildren, Cory Ellis, Terrick Ellis, Savannah Ellis, Emily Ellis, Erika Ellis, and Wyatt Ellis; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, September 23 at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Burial was at the St. John's UCC Cemetery at Bem, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville, Missouri. Karmin Edeltraud Marie Ford Karmin Edeltraud Marie Ford of Cuba was born Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Creve Coeur, Missouri to Bridget Allison Melanie Cramer and passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the age of 4 months. Karmin was an identical twin and they were born at 31 weeks. She was loved by the hospital staff in the NICU during their stay there and her family spoiled and loved her every day since they came home. Karmin's smile would light up a room and now she gets to smile at Jesus. She was preceded in death by her great grandparents Charles and Edeltraud Moehlmann. Those who are left to treasure the memory of this little angel are her mother, Bridget Cramer; four brothers, Alexzander Ford, Johnathan Cramer-Rabideau, Jaxon Buerk and Zakarie Ford; identical twin sister, Kaylynn Ann Renee Ford, all of the home; grandparents, John and Deborah Cramer of Cuba, Missouri; great-grandmother, Annette Cramer of Eureka, Missouri; aunts and uncles, Heather Cramer-Miller and husband Marty Miller of Union, Missouri and Wendy Cramer-Lee and husband Paul Lee of Cuba, Missouri; cousin, April Miller of Union, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Graveside service was held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Edward Junior Hillhouse Edward Junior Hillhouse of Cassville, Missouri was born Friday, February 12, 1988 at Monett, Missouri to Timothy and Sherry (nee Combs) Hillhouse and came up missing April 2016 from Bourbon, Missouri and was found September 20, 2017 near Bourbon, Missouri at the now age of 29 years. He moved to Bourbon, Missouri in 2011 to be closer to his sister. Everyone who had the privilege of meeting Edward will tell you the same thing. That he was kind, loving, funny and would do anything for anyone. He was known for his goofy smile and bright blue eyes. Edward had three true passions: fishing, arrowhead hunting and working on cars. He grew up fishing with his family on Bull Shoals Lake. Edward, his aunt and his father shared a love for arrowheads and all together have a great collection. As for cars, Edward could fix anything. He loved a challenge when it came to cars. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Eddie Hillhouse; and his friend, Casey Edwards. He is survived by his father and best friend, Timothy Hillhouse of Pierce City, Missouri; mother, Sherry Compton and step-father Benny Compton of Forsyth, Missouri; sister and best friend, Kayla Hillhouse and fiancˇ Chase Tolliver of Bourbon, Missouri; like a sister, Brooklyn Sizemore of Cassville, Missouri; brother, Christopher Hillhouse of Branson, Missouri; grandparents, Phyllis Weathermon of Cassville, Missouri and Sue and Junior Combs of Taneyville, Missouri; aunts, EdDeemay Sizemore of Pierce City, Missouri, Tina Hillhouse of Kansas City, Missouri and Tarrie and husband Jerry Ruark of Washburn, Missouri; uncle, Larry Combs of Taneyville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Memorial visitation will be Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Blue Springs Ranch in Bourbon, Missouri. Celebration of Life service will be held at noon. Everyone is welcome to come and share your love and stories with the family. (Please bring your lawn chairs). Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Anna Mae Hogan Mager Anna Mae Hogan Mager was born July 27, 1937 in Dillard Missouri to Thurston and Norma (Cottrell) Hogan and passed away September 21, 2017 at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 24 days. The town of Dillard was named for Dillard Cottrell, Anna's great grandfather. She graduated Steelville High School 1955 and attended University of Missouri. She married Troy Richard "Dick" Mager of Steelville, Missouri, March 31, 1956. She was an army wife to Lt. Mager in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Scofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii. She worked and modeled at MacInerny's in Waikiki to pay for husband's law school. They returned in 1958 to Columbia, Missouri. Dick and Anna and their three daughters moved to Carbondale, Illinois in 1970 where she remained the rest of her life. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale serving as a deacon. She was also active in PEO Chapter GX. She worked as travel agent for Thunderbird Travel for many years carefully and thoughtfully planning trips for her clients. Anna was a friend to everyone she met. She had a servant's heart and made sure a guest or friend never wanted for anything. There was not a person she knew in Carbondale who didn't benefit from her charity. She could find humor in any situation and always saw the glass half full.She loved to travel with her daughters and friends and saw many great sights around the world and created priceless memories. She loved her "Widows and Orphans," her PEO Sisters and her bridge club. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurston and Norma Hogan; her brother, Donald Hogan; and half-brother, Rickie Hogan. She is survived by her daughters, Lee Anne Mager Morris and Mary Mager Silverman and husband Michael of Dallas Texas and Molly Mager Fruin and husband John of Lawrenceburg Indiana; grandsons, John Richard Silverman, Nicholas Mager Silverman and Jordan Evan Morris; half-brother, Roger Hogan; half-sister, Rhonda Hogan Stephens. Visitation was held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, Illinois. Memorial services were held at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale with Pastor Janice C. West officiating. If you would like to share a memory please go to: www.meredithfh.com. Arrangements under the direction of the Meredith Funeral Home Carbondale, Illinois. Chester Everett Politte Jr. Chester Everett Politte Jr. of Cuba, Missouri was born on April 25, 1960 to Chester E. and Bonnie Lou (Bull) Politte Sr., in Sullivan, Missouri and passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at the age of 57 years. He attended Sullivan High School. In the 1970's Chester and his family moved to Colorado where he met and married Fay Viele. Chester later moved back to Sullivan where he was self-employed as a mechanic. Chester was a quiet man who kept mostly to himself. After he became ill with cancer, he enjoyed playing old country tunes on his guitar to feel better. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Sr. and Bonnie Lou Politte; one brother, Robin Dale Politte; and two sisters, Mary Ann Syrene and Kim Politte. He is survived by his son, Brent Viele of Englewood, Colorado; one sister, Tina Politte of Cuba, Missouri;, other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life was held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan and Bourbon, Missouri. Helen Jean Spurgeon Storie Helen Jean Spurgeon Storie of Cuba, Missouri was born Tuesday, May 17, 1927 at Paragould, Arkansas to Ruffes Harmon and Myrtle May (nee Winn) Fletcher and passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at the age of 90 years. Helen married Telfer Tompkins in 1944. She later married Harold Lee Spurgeon in August of 1963. Harold passed away on July 2, 1984. She then married Emerson Storie in January of 1991 and he passed away October of 2002. Helen spent her life taking care of her home and family. For many years she cleaned houses for the St. Louis Blues owner and players. After moving to Cuba, Missouri she continued cleaning for businesses and many families of the area. You could always find Helen at the rowdy table at the Cuba Senior Center when her health was good. Helen was well known for her cooking, especially her homemade buns, sugar cookies, lemon meringue pie and her pumpkin rolls. She thought if you were cooking for the holidays, you started three weeks early. She read her bible daily and through the course of her life she had read the bible cover to cover three times. Helen attended the Freewill Baptist Church of Cuba, Missouri for many years until her health began to decline. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harmon and Myrtle May Fletcher; husbands, Telfer Tompkins, Harold Spurgeon and Emerson Storie; five brothers, Vernon Fletcher, Burle Fletcher, Randall "Dutch" Fletcher, Stirl Fletcher and Billy Fletcher. She is survived by her son, Chris Spurgeon and wife Tammy of Cuba, Missouri; daughter, Jeanne Lynn Ryerson of Cuba, Missouri; four grandsons, Cody Spurgeon and wife Lindsay of St. Clair, Missouri, Barry Wools and wife Melissa of St. James, Missouri, Brian and wife Sherry Wools of Cuba, Missouri and Josiah Hinson of Cuba, Missouri; four great-grandchildren, Avery Spurgeon of St. Clair, Missouri, Olivia Wools of St. James, Missouri, Kailey Wools and Gavin Wools, both of Cuba, Missouri; five step-children, Charles Storie, Tracy Storie and Flora Adkison, all of Buckhorn, Missouri, Dennis Spurgeon and wife Brenda and David Spurgeon and wife Cindy, all of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Don Martin officiating. Special music was "I Want the People to see Jesus in Me," "God on the Mountain" and "Jesus Take the Wheel." Interment and prayers followed at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Pallbearers were Cody Spurgeon, Barry Wools, Brian Wools, Josiah Hinson, Wesley Gilliam and Kaleb "Gunner" Wilkerson. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Nola Inez Young Nola Inez Young of Steelville, Missouri was born on January 18, 1934 in Leachville, Arkansas to Bernard Hart and Eula (Cude) Hart and passed away on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the age of 83 years, 7 months and 18 days. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Charlotte Sherrell, Christine and Margaret Hart; and two brothers-in-law, George Young and Claude Sherrell. She is survived by her husband, Ameuel Young of Steelville, Missouri; son, Len Young and wife Rebecca of Steelville, Missouri; sister, Imogene Young of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4:30-8 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the DeClue Funeral Home. Funeral service was held at noon on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the DeClue Memorial Chapel with Bro. Loise Moses officiating. Casketbearers were Donald H. Mayer, Frank Mayer, Jerry M. Smith, Tim Nixon, Ron Laird and Paul Laird. Serving as honorary casketbearer was Royce Fritz. Interment and final prayers were held at the Redbud Memorial Gardens. Following the Committal Service, the family and friends gathered at the Lakewood Baptist Church for a time of fellowship and a luncheon. Arrangements under the direction of the DeClue Funeral Home. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ Copyright. 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