Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of October 7, 2015 Denis Larned Banta Denis Larned Banta of Steelville, Missouri was born June 13, 1933 to Royal Watts and Margaret Bell (Stifler) Banta in Elmhurst, Illinois Steelville, Missouri and passed away Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the age of 82 years. Denis attended school until age 17, then joined the United States Navy serving from 1950 to 1955 during the Korean War as an Aviation Electrician. He served three years in Jacksonville, Florida and two years in Chicago, Illinois. He received a National Defense Service Ribbon and a Good Conduct Service Ribbon. Denis was a gifted musician and played the organ and piano beautifully. He was on the Charlotte Peters Show in St. Louis, Missouri and played many places including Aberny, South Dakota; Onondaga State Park in Leasburg, Missouri; and Houston, Texas. He was interviewed once on Steeple Chase (KMOX Radio) and remembers saying hello to his mom while live on the radio. Denis met many interesting and famous people including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Fleming, and Art Linkletter. He owned the Circle Lounge in Cuba, Missouri, My Place Lounge at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri and Banta Electric in Steelville, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Royal and Margaret Banta; one brother, Royal Watts Banta; and one sister, Nadine Durham. He is survived by two sons and four daughters, David Banta and wife Wendy, Caroline Viehman and husband Rob, Marilyn Lakaner and husband John, Susan Schmidt and husband Ed, Dennis Banta and wife Dawn, Melinda Benedict and husband Eric; 12 grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Private graveside services will be held at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Janet Cisney Brand Janet Cisney (Stout) Brand was born in her grandparent's house in Jelloway, Ohio on May 15, 1921 to John B. and Charlotte C. Stout and passed on May 1, 2015 at the age of 93 years. Following high school in Momence, Illinois, Janet graduated from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 1943 and earned a commission in the Navy Nurse Corps. Active duty took her to the West Coast where she met a young Coast Guard officer, Glenn Brand. Janet and Glenn married after the war and immediately started a family. They settled in Rolla, Missouri where Glenn joined the faculty of the Missouri School of Mines after graduate work in Rolla, Missouri and Pullman, Washington. In 1956 they moved first to Los Angeles but soon decided to move to Thousand Oaks, California to give their children a place to grow. They built their first house together in 1959 in the rolling hills outside town. Janet encouraged their seven children to roam freely over the oak-covered acres filled with wildlife. Active in Retired Officers organizations, they were also avid bridge players. Janet developed a lifelong interest in California horticulture, especially cacti and succulents. She carefully took many cuttings with her after Glenn retired from industry in 1972 when they moved to his hometown of Steelville, Missouri. Over the next 25 years, they built a new ranch house, raised cattle on the old family farm, actively supported higher education, watched their three youngest boys grow through high school and provided a welcoming summer and holiday retreat for returning children and grandchildren. Janet's greatest pleasure was greeting and hosting friends and family, particularly at Thanksgiving. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Charlotte Stout; husband, Glenn Brand; sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Donby Mathieu; and daughter-in-law, Karen Brand (John).She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Brand (Nick Webb) of Reno, Nevada; six sons, John Brand (Kelly) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, James Brand (Marie) of Omaha, Nebraska, Jack Brand (Joni) of Woodinville, Washington, Glenn Brand (Mindy) of Watauga, Texas, Jeff Brand of Steelville, Missouri and Joel Brand (Ann) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Rex Brown of Bridgeton, Missouri; other relatives and friends. A private memorial service was recently held in Missouri. James Stanford "Jim" Britton James Stanford "Jim" Britton of Cuba, Missouri was born May 25, 1933 at Huzzah, Missouri to James E. and Ettie Jane (nee Holtz) Britton and passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the age of 82 years. Jim started his working career at the young age of seven. He would go logging with the older men of the family. Jim left the logging business January 3, 1957 when he joined the United States Army. He served until September 24, 1957. Jim returned home from the Army and he went back to logging with his brothers John and Jack and their brother-in-law Austin and they named the company Britton Brothers Logging. Jim married Edwina Farris on August 31, 1968 at the Crawford County Courthouse in Steelville, Missouri and to this union four children were born. Jim retired from logging in 1999 at the age of 66 years. Jim's children always wished for snow during the winter because that meant dad would be home. He would then spend hours with them watching TV.Jim was the coordinator for the Crawford County Logging Rodeo, at the fair grounds, for 14 years. Jim enjoyed family picnics, family reunions, playing frisbee in his logging boots, sitting on his front porch and talking to everyone that came by, telling stories and visiting with friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Ettie Jane Britton; seven siblings, Daisy and husband Austin Volner, Mollie and husband Wade Watson, Ernest and wife Georgia Britton, Jack and wife Anna Mae Britton, Lydia Britton, John Britton and Leona and husband Bob Duhnam; and brothers-in-law, Don Davis, David Farris and Jim Waits. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Edwina Britton of the home; four children, Ettie and husband Allan Branson of Cuba, Missouri, Karen and husband Curtis Dunakey of Leasburg, Missouri, James and wife Lori Britton of Okeechobee, Florida and Vickie and husband Donnie Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri; 16 grandchildren, Ryan, Dalton, Kaleb, Luke, Morgan, Lane Bradley, Kayla, Michael, Tailer, Hunter, Shawn Kipper, Tyler, Zannah, Bridget and Stacy; 10 great grand- children, Jeremy, Ariana, Layla, Jonathon, Grant, Hailey, Alydia, Xavier, Aiden and Madison; sisters-in-law, Cecilia Britton of Cuba, Missouri, Rosemary and husband Luther "Hooky" Basham of Bland, Missouri, Laverna Davis of Branson, Missouri, Barbara Farris of Bourbon, Missouri and Ava Waits of Portland, Oregon; special nephews, Gary Britton, Roger Volner and Donald Volner all of Cuba, Missouri, special niece, Diane Kuhne of Owensville, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Friday, October 2, 2015 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Alan Miles officiating. Special music was "I'm Going to Live Forever," "Daddy's Hands," "When I Get Where I'm Going," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Go Rest High on that Mountain." Interment, prayers and full military honors followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Pallbearers were Allan Branson, Curtis Dunakey, Donnie Bridgeman, Gary Britton, Roger Volner, Don Volner and Daniel Pinnell. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Mary Wyatt Counts Mary Wyatt Counts of Steelville, Missouri was born on Sunday, November 12, 1939 in Benton, Missouri to Fred and Margaret Wyatt and passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 12 days. Mary married Arthur "Lee" Counts Jr. on May 27, 1956 in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Sam Roper officiating and to this union six children were born. Mary worked several years as secretary in the Crawford County Collector's office. She was a member of the Steelville First Assembly of God Church. Her hobbies were reading, crocheting, cooking and painting. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Margaret Wyatt; husband, Lee on March 12, 2015; son, Jerry Counts; parents-in-law, Arthur Lee Counts Sr. and Eula Counts; brothers-in-law, Tom Counts, Earl (Ermalee) Counts and Richard "Dick" Bouse; grandmother, Nona Inman; and uncle, Casey Kent. She is survived by her sons, Rick (Angie) Counts, Ray (Mary) Counts and Terry (Betty) Counts, all of Steelville, Missouri; daughters, Kaye (Rick) Wheeler of Yankton, South Dakota and Jennifer Matchell of Cuba, Missouri; sister, Jane Bouse of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Frank (Connie) Counts and Gary (Joyce) Counts, both of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Willa Mae (Everett) Williams of Cuba, Missouri and Laura Counts of Paris, Tennessee; 17 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends Visitation was Saturday, October 3, 2015 from noon-1 p.m. and memorial service at 1 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Jerry Beers officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Yvonne Courtney Yvonne Courtney of St. James, Missouri passed away Monday, October 5, 2015 at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 10 days. Visitation from 3-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at the Jones Funeral Home, St. James, Missouri. Funeral service at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Jones Funeral Home, St. James, Missouri. Burial in the St. James Cemetery, St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home, St. James, Missouri. Calynne Harmony Diehl Calynne Harmony Diehl passed away on Monday, September 28, 2015 in Creve Coeur, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her great grandparents, Wesley Gordon Diehl, Cathy Callahan and Bill Blaylock. She is survived by her parents, Wesley and Julia Diehl of Steelville, Missouri; grandparents, Darrell and Trish Callahan of Steelville, Missouri and Greg and Cathy Diehl of Salem, Missouri; great grandparents, Darline Hood of Rantoul, Illinois, Ray and Phyllis Price of Townsend, Montana, Gary and Barbara Callahan of Cuba, Missouri, Joyce Blaylock of Salem, Missouri and Dale and Jill Hood of Centerville, Missouri; great great grandmother, Anna Hood of Rantoul, Illinois; aunts and uncles, Travis and Jessica Callahan and Caleb Callahan, all of Steelville, Missouri, Alex Diehl and Joseph Diehl, both of Salem, Missouri and Danielle and Mark Norris of Salem, Missouri; godparents, Timothy and Jeniffer Reeves of Gray Summit, Missouri; and other relatives Visitation was Friday, October 2, 2015 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and funeral service at 3:30 p.m. at the Steelville First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Jerry Beers and Pastor Timothy Reeves officiating. Burial was at the Martin Trask Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Nadine Verble Nadine Verble (nee Mathews) of Bourbon, Missouri was born Thursday, March 15, 1934 in Flat River, Missouri to Arthur and Goldie Mae (Williams) Mathews and passed away Monday, September 28, 2015 at the age of 81 years, 6 months and 13 days. Nadine accepted the Lord in 1997 and was baptized by Pastor Perkins, former pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Steelville, Missouri. She married Dallas Andrew Verble Jr. on January 4, 1969 in Piggott, Arkansas. She enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Goldie Mathews; parents-in-law, Dallas Andrew Verble Sr. and Ruby (Head) Verble; brother, William Lindell Mathews; sister, Thelma L. (Charles) Holst and Sylvia Mathews; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Mier. She is survived by her husband, Dallas Andrew Verble Jr.; children, Beverly Parker of Bourbon, Missouri, Patricia Ann (Joe) Wilson of Bridgeton, Missouri, Joey Knorr of Pevely, Missouri, David (Stacy) Knorr of Sullivan, Missouri, Kenny (Jenny) Knorr of St. James, Missouri, Tom "Pug" (April) Verble of Steelville, Missouri, Vicki Manzotti of Cuba, Missouri, Dallas (Cindy) Verble III of Hanahan, South Carolina and Douglas Verble of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Harold W. (Judy) Verble of Affton, Missouri and Bill Mier of Chicago, Illinois; sister-in-law, Beverly (Tim) Davenport of St. Charles, Missouri; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Jerry Beers officiating. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Annita J. White Annita J. White of Kingdom City, Missouri was born May 18, 1938 in Greeley, Colorado to Roscoe Luther and Thelma Gertrude (Gardner) Biby and passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the age of 77 years. She was a 1955 graduate of Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college in West Palm Beach, Florida. She worked at Lincoln University and retired as a Clerk III from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She was united in marriage to Julius H "Abe" White in West Palm Beach, Florida on August 7, 1965. Annita enjoyed sewing, canning and crafts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe and Thelma Biby; husband Julius on February 24, 2008; and brother, Richard Biby She is survived by her children, Pamela Lynn Carter of Colorado, Fay Ray Looten (Todd) of Jefferson City, Missouri, Tina Marie Hoover (Phillip) of Kingdom City, Missouri, Katherine Lee White of Kingdom City, Missouri and Darrell Spencer White of Steelville, Missouri; one sister, Barbara Ann Dinkel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the Houser-Millard Funeral Chapel in Jefferson City, Missouri. Services were held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015 at the Houser-Millard Funeral Chapel with Elder Walter Petree officiating. Entombment followed in Resurrection Mausoleum. Arrangements under the direction of the Houser-Millard Funeral Directors in Jefferson City, 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