Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of October 11, 2001

Reba Mae Amann
Reba Mae Amann nee Farris of St. Louis, Missouri passed away Saturday,
September 29, 2001 at the age of 72 years.
Reba was born on July 2, 1929 at Hinch, Missouri to the late Fred and Julia
Woods Farris, the fourth of seven children. She attended and graduated from
Bourbon High School. After high school she worked as a waitress and later
as a telephone operator (old type switchboard). At age 20 Reba moved to St.
Louis, and on June 24, 1967 she was married to Joseph Amann. Joe passed
away suddenly on July 15, 1987. Reba was employed as a secretary to a local
physician for twenty years. She was also a 30 plus year employee at Daniel
and Henry Insurance Company Concannon Group until her retirement just two
years ago. She was also a member of YWCA.
Reba was a true "health nut". She watched her diet faithfully and exercise
was a big part of her daily routine. She walked, exercised, biked and swam
92 laps (5 miles) regularly. She had a deep love for animals, and always
had one or two dogs. Reba was diagnosed with an aggressive malignant brain
tumor two years ago, and was given one year to survive. She was proud of
the fact that she had beaten the odds to two years. She underwent
chemotherapy and radiation treatments along with experiemental radiation
treatments late in the disease. Although she had some progression of
symptoms, she remained optimistic and defiant in her fight until just two
months ago. Dale Pidcock entered Reba's life about 10 years ago; first as a
neighbor, grass cutter, special friend and finally her loving care giver
until the end. She also had a wonderful nurses aid, Matty Adkins, who
helped care for her the past two months.
She is survived by one brother, William Farris, one sister, Sadie Woods, a
special friend, Dale Pidcock, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Along with her parents, Mrs. Amann was preceded in death by her husband,
Joseph Amann, three brothers, Harold Farris, Richard "Ed" Farris and James
"Ben" Farris, and one sister, Jane Harmon.
Funeral services were conducted 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2001 from the
chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Greg Smith
officiating. Interment was in the Lea Cemetery, Leasburg, Missouri. In lieu
of flowers memorials may be given to the Humane Society or the American
Cancer Society in memory of Reba Amann.

Thelma Lorene Bridges
Thelma Lorene Bridges (nee Brooks) was born Friday, March 11, 1938, at
Davisville, Mo., a daughter of the late Harry Munson Brooks and Ruby Agnes
Evans Brooks. She entered eternal rest Monday, October 1, 2001 at the Cuba
Manor, Cuba, Mo. at the age of 63 years, 6 months and 20 days.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are two sons and five
daughters, Gail and husband Gary Lederle of Steelville, Mo., Dale Jean
Helms of Cherryville, Mo., Wanda Bell of Salem, Mo., Loretta and husband
Joe Lemons of Cuba, Mo., Lester Bridges of Cherryville, Mo., Laura and
husband Rick Horton, Cuba, Mo., Lloyd and wife Kim Bridges of Cherryville,
Mo.
Four sisters, Bertha Woods of Leasburg, Mo., Maudie Bell of St. Louis, Mo.,
Lucille and husband Martin Manasco of Washington, Mo., Deloris and husband
Purn Gillam of Davisville, Mo.; twenty-two grandchildren, seven
great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in California,
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to her parents Harry and Ruby Brooks, and her husband Lester
Bridges, she was preceded in death by one son, Carl Bell; son-in-law,
Warren Helms; one daughter-in-law, Glenda Bridges; two brothers-in-law,
Buddy Woods and Harold Bell, and one granddaughter, Stephanie Lederle.
Thelma Lorene Bridges lay in state after 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2001,
at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2001 in the Britton
Chapel with Rev. Bob Coleman and Rev. Ronnie McRaven officiating.
Committal prayers and interment were in Davisville Cemetery, Davisville,
Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Bill Bell, Lonnie Bell, Victer Horton,
Bradley Lederle, Gary Lederle and Bryan Tabor.
Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville,
Mo.

Henry P. Edwards
Henry P. Edwards of Sullivan, Missouri passed away on Sunday, September 30,
2001 at the age of 78 years.
Mr. Edwards was born on September 12, 1923 to the late Robert and Haney
(Lamascus) Edwards in Steelville, Missouri. He grew up and attended school
in the Steelville area, and on September 18, 1943 was married to Melba
Anderson at Potosi, Missouri. Henry and Melba have made their home for the
past forty years on Highway K, where he enjoyed hunting and fishing in his
spare time. He was employed for many years as a laborer in the commercial
construction industry. Henry was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church,
where he served as a deacon and also taught the preschool Sunday school
class. He loved children and especially enjoyed spending time with his
great granddaughters, Kassidy and Caitlin. A kind and loving husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, Henry will be
fondly remembered by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Melba Edwards of Sullivan; one daughter, Ruth
Benay Jackson and husband, Larry, of Sullivan; one grandson, Joseph Taylor
and wife, Kerry, of Sullivan; two great-grandchildren, Kassidy and Caitlin
Taylor, both of Sullivan; two sisters, Bea Edwards and Rose Halbert, both
of Steelville, Missouri; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Along with his parents, Henry was preceded in death by two brothers,
Clarence and Woodrow Edwards and one sister, Nell McKuen.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3, 2001
from the Hassebroek Chapel in Sullivan with interment in New Chapel Hill
Cemetery. All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home in
Sullivan. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the family of
Henry P. Edwards.

Stephen Gerencser, Sr.
Stephen Gerenscer was born on July 24, 1917 in St. Louis, Missouri to
Joseph Gerencser and Anna Nhey Gerencser. He departed this life on Sunday,
September 30, 2001 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at
the age of 84 years, 2 months and 6 days.
Stephen grew up in St. Louis, Missouri in a family of first generation
Hungarian Americans. Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II
and was honorably discharged on October 20, 1945, having achieved three
Bronze Battle Stars and three Overseas Service Bars.
On June 14, 1941 Stephen was united in marriage to Laverne Fuller in St.
Louis, Missouri, and to this union one son was born.
For several years they lived and worked in St. Louis. He worked for Procter
Counter co. where he transfered to Bourbon, Missouri and retired after more
than 45 years of service. During his retirement years, he enjoyed coin
collecting, taking trips, and playing with his cats. He was a member of St.
Paul's Lutheran Church in Cuba, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Laverne; one brother
Joseph; and one sister Ann McBride.
Those who remain to mourn his passing are his dear son Stephen Gerencser,
Jr. and wife Carol of Goldsboro, North Carolina; one sister Mary Wondracek
of St. Louis; one sister-in-law Georgia Scott and husband Kenneth of
O'Fallon, Illinois; one granddaughter Jamie Clucas and husband Chris of
Goldsboro, North Carolina; and one great granddaughter Caroline Clucas of
Goldsboro, North Carolina; a dear friend Doris Coffel of Bourbon, Missouri;
other relatives and many friends, all who will sadly miss and fondly
remember Stephen Gerencser, Sr.
Visitation was on Wednesday, October 3, 2001 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
in Cuba, Missouri from 1-2 p.m.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cuba,
Missouri with Rev. Roger Schnakenberg officiating.
Burial was in the Bourbon Cemetery in Bourbon, Missouri.
All arrangements were under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Cuba,
Missouri.

Alma L. Halfaker
Alma L. Halfaker of Bourbon, Mo. passed away Thursday, October 4, 2001 at
the age of 84 years.
Mrs. Halfaker was born November 23, 1916 at Bourbon, Mo. to Amanuel and
Lilly (Bales) Jones. She lived the majority of her life in the Bourbon area
and was known as a woman with a sweet disposition. Her gentle nature was
such that she desired not to inflict hurt on anyone.
On January 24, 1932 she was married to Charles D. Halfaker, Jr. and to this
marriage five children were born. Alma was a devoted mother and wife and
would help anyone in need. She was the "family babysitter" and was always
the center of family gatherings. Alma was known as a good cook and enjoyed
providing for her family. She professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was a
dedicated Christian witness. Alma attended various churches in the area and
was frequently asked to sing solos. She also led an active life even in the
autumn of her life and enjoyed camping and gardening with her flowers and
plants.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Halfaker and wife Shirley of Leasburg,
Mo. and Terry Halfaker and special friend Viola Wymer of Bourbon, Mo., two
daughters, Patricia Robinson and husband Bill of Cuba, Mo. and Janice and
Clyde Cartwright of Bourbon, Mo.; 14 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren,
5 great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Along with her
parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, a son, Dwight
Herman Halfaker, three brothers, and four sisters.
Graveside funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2001
in Bourbon Cemetery. Visitation for Mrs. Alma Halfaker was held from 5 to 9
p.m. on Saturday at the Eaton Funeral Chapel in Bourbon and also from 11
a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Perry Andrew Hanks
Perry Andrew Hanks was born Thursday, August 5, 1915, one of thirteen
children of Charles and Rachael (Ogles) Hanks, at Steelville, Mo.
He entered eternal rest Sunday, September 30, 2001, in the Missouri Baptist
Medical Center, Sullivan, Mo., at the age of 86 years, 1 month and 25 days.
On June 2, 1984, at Zanesville, Ohio, Perry was united in marriage to
Allean Viola DeGonia. They lived the first three years of their marriage in
Ohio. They have enjoyed the last fourteen years making their home in
Steelville, Mo. Perry was a faithful member of the First Assembly of God
Church in Steelville and attended as long as his health permitted.
In addition to his parents Perry was preceded in death by his twin brother,
Woodrow, brothers, Carl, Leroy, Henry, and Jeffery (twin of Sarah) Hanks;
sisters Jessie Hanks, Bess Fahey and Tressie Francis; and a set of twins at
birth.
Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his devoted wife Allean
Hanks of the home; one brother, Charles Hanks and wife Ruth of Bourg,
Louisiana; one sister, Sarah Mae Hanks of Houma, Louisiana; a sister-in-law
Catherine (Carl) Hanks of Bunker Hill, Illinois; sister-in-law and
brother-in-law Marie and Richard Brooks of Steelville, Mo.; nieces,
nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Perry Andrew Hanks lay in state 4-8 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2001, at the
Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held
11 a.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at the Assembly of God Church, Steelville,
Mo. with Pastor Jerry Beers officiating. Perry's favorite hymns, Amazing
Grace and When The Roll is Called Up Yonder, were sung by the congregation,
led by Gary Hardecke, with piano accompanist Sharon Hardecke.
Committal prayers and interment were in Steelville Cemetery, Steelville,
Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Finis Barr, Ed Campbell, Bill Hanks, Louis
Hanks, Sam Hanks, Gene Whitaker and Bill Worley.
Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville,
Mo.

James Gary Harvey
James Gary Harvey was born Monday, July 7, 1952, at Champaign, Illinois, a
son of James E. Harvey and the late Mary A. Harvey (nee Alstrom). He
departed this life Saturday, September 29, 2001 at Jefferson City, Mo. at
the age of 49 years, 2 months and 22 days.
On July 23, 1977, at the First Presbyterian Church, Lee Summit, Mo., Jim
was united in marriage to Nancy Lee Dillon, daughter of Richard and Faith
(Clonts) Dillon. They made their first home in St. James, Mo., where she
taught English and French, and Jim taught Social Studies and English at
Vienna, Mo. They both later taught in Cuba, Mo. They enjoyed twenty-four
years together, before her death July 23, 2001, and were living in the
Jefferson City, Mo. area.
Jim graduated from Grandview High School, Grandview, Mo., Longview
Community College with a A.A. Degree, Lee Summit, Mo.; he attended
University of Missouri, Kansas City, Mo.; Warrensburg Teachers College and
had a Masters Degree. He was fluent in German. He and Nancy had just
returned from Germany before her death. Jim was employed by the Missouri
Employment Office, as a Claims Officer.
Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his father, James E.
Harvey; one brother, Gary Harvey and friend Becky Winningham all of
Grandview, Mo.; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Richard and Faith
Dillon of Jefferson City, Mo.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Connie
and Wayne Lamb of Kansas City, Mo.; aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives
and many friends.
James Gary Harvey lay in state after 9 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2001, at
the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Graveside services were
held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2001 at the Steelville Cemetery,
Steelville, Mo. with Father Bob Duesdieker officiating. Burial in
Steelville Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville,
Mo.

Quentin Samuel Rohrer
Quentin Samuel Rohrer was born on July 3, 1918 at Bourbon, Missouri to the
union of the late Jacob Rohrer and Elizabeth (Allsman) Rohrer and passed
away on October 2, 2001 at Cuba, Missouri at the age of 83 years, 2 months
and 29 days.
Quentin graduated from Sullivan High School in 1938. He attended the
University of Missouri and was employed at Bank of Bourbon.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. He was honorably
discharged on August 24, 1945 with the rank of sergeant. He served in five
Pacific campaigns. He was awarded the Bronze Star for the New Guinea
campaign.
He was an automobile salesman for a number of years in Oakland, California
before returning to Missouri in 1953. After long service as a Bourbon rural
mail carrier, he retired from the United States Postal Service in 1980.
Quentin enjoyed owning and farming his farm for over forty years.
On June 17, 1945 Quentin married Doris Downes at Owensville, Missouri.
There were three children born to this union, V. Kenneth, Elizabeth Ruth
and Jahn D. (J.D.). Quentin and Doris celebrated 56 years together on June
17, 2001.
Quentin loved his family. He was a dedicated husband, father and
grandfather. His interests, abilities and experiences were many and varied.
He was an award winning tenor, in one day he could hand shear one hundred
sheep, served as a county political party chairman, the foreman of a jury
in a local murder trial and most of all a wonderful role model for his
family.
Quentin was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bourbon,
American Legion, Crawford Memorial Post #81 and the State and National
Rural Carriers' Association.
Those who remain to mourn his death are his loving wife Doris and immediate
family Kenneth and Susie Rohrer, Beth and Bob Irvine, J.D. and Patti
Rohrer; grandchildren Matthew Rohrer, Ann Rohrer, Tyler Field, Erin Field,
Samuel Rohrer and Jana Rohrer; sisters Lillian Eikermann and Zelma Berry
Hill; sisters-in-law June Rohrer, Opal Rohrer, Louise Rohrer and Marie
Gibson; brothers-in-law Ervin Downes as well as numerous nieces,
nephews,other relatives and friends.
Quentin Samuel Rohrer was in state at the Eaton Chapel, Bourbon, Missouri
where American Legion Services were held on Thursday, October 4, 2001 at 7
p.m. by Bourbon American Legion Post #81. Funeral services were held on
Friday, October 5, 2001 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of
Bourbon, Missouri with Rev. Connie Gallager officiating. Interment was in
the Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri. All arrangements were under the
direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.

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


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