Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of October 12, 2010



Leon Franklin Blair

Leon Franklin Blair of Mineral Point, Missouri was born on July 25, 1932 
at Quaker, Missouri to Trenton and Eura (Graves) Blair and passed away 
October 4, 2010 at the Washington County Memorial Hospital at the age 
of 78 years.
On July 22, 2000, Leon was united in marriage to Nelda Jarvis and they 
shared 10 years together.
Leon was a good ol’ country boy who loved tending to his cows on his farm. 
He was a member of the Potosi 1st Baptist Church. Leon received the Lord 
Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at a very young age. 
Leon worked for the mining company at Viburnum, Missouri and retired from 
there in 1991 with 30 years of service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Trenton and Eura Blair; one son, 
Larry Blair; three brothers, Winifred Blair, Glen Blair and Lenwood Blair; 
three sisters, Minnie Mincher, Erma Jo Summers and Hazel Reither.
He is survived by his wife, Nelda of Mineral Point, Missouri; two 
daughters, Connie Bleything of Potosi, Missouri, Tammy Kelly and husband 
Patrick of Viburnum, Missouri; three sons, Garry Blair and wife Susie of 
Salem, Missouri, Jerry Blair and wife Yvonne of Springfield, Missouri and 
Gale Blair of Steelville, Missouri; two step daughters, Ronda McClain of 
Park Hills, Missouri and Janet Turner and husband Homer of Potosi, 
Missouri; three brothers, Ross Blair and wife Betty of Mineral Point, 
Missouri, Leo Blair and wife Pat of Hillsboro, Missouri, Jewell Blair of 
Carlsbad, New Mexico; two sisters, Anna Mae Quinn of St. Louis, Missouri 
and Geneva Thurman of Louisiana, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; three step 
grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; 
other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 10 a.m. 
at the DeClue Chapel with Bro. Jamie Haguewood officiating.
Pallbearers were Nat Bleything, Josh Bleything, Jon Kelly, Anthony Kelly, 
Jason Blair, Andy Blair, Dustin Blair and Jeremy Chism. Honorary pall-
bearers were Lucas McClain and Shawn Blair.
Interment and final prayers were held at Antioch Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the DeClue Family Funeral Home.



Howard E. Conaway

Howard E. Conaway of Sullivan, Missouri formerly of Cuba, Missouri was born 
to Henry and Isabelle (Bryant) Conaway on September 8, 1927 in Howes Mill, 
Missouri and passed away Friday, October 8, 2010 at the age of 83 years.
Howard was united in marriage to Betty Jo Teal on July 7, 1945 and were 
married for 43 years. To this union seven children were born.
Howard owned and operated Howard’s Heating and Cooling in Steelville, 
Missouri for several years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on lawn 
mowers, collecting used lumber, watermelons and cantaloupe, boating and 
spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Isabelle Conaway; wife, 
Betty Conaway; second wife, Eleanor Ruby Conaway; two sons, Howard Cheryl 
and William Conaway; two daughters, Shirley Elaine Conaway and Lucinda 
Lynn Pines; one sister, Alvie and husband Landis Callahan; two brothers, 
Clyde and wife Phyllis Conaway, Paul and wife Patricia Conaway; one 
sister-in-law, Nancy Conaway; two brothers-in-law, Paul Tindall and 
Charles Cook.
He is survived by three daughters, Melissia and husband Gary Widger of 
Bunker, Missouri, Rebecca and husband John Susnic of Sullivan, Missouri 
and Gina and husband Wayne Eaton of Cahokia, Illinois; eight brothers and 
sisters, Roman and wife Edna Conaway of California, Lorraine and husband 
Robert Bridges of Villa Ridge, Missouri, Corrine Tindall of Cuba, Missouri, 
Josie and husband Orbie Wheeler of St. Louis, Missouri, Margie Cook of St. 
Louis, Missouri, Jimmy Schmidt of Cuba, Missouri, Annie and husband Jim 
Davis of Imperial, Missouri, Raymond and wife Sharon Schmidt of Hillsboro, 
Missouri; 10 grandchildren, 14 and a half great grandchildren, 11 great 
great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 from 5-9 p.m. at Britton 
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Britton Funeral 
Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Cindy Martin, officiating.
Interment followed at Stone Hill Cemetery, Salem, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, 
Missouri.


Loeta Arlene Crews

Loeta Arlene Crews was born November 9, 1935 in Dillard, Missouri to Rev. 
George H. and Leota (Alcorn) Bruner and passed away on July 3, 2010 in 
Salem, Missouri at the age of 74 years, 7 months and 24 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. George and Leota Bruner; 
brothers, Bill and John Bruner and sister, Delores Sego.
She is survived by her husband, Clifton O. Crews of Howes Mill, Missouri; 
daughter, Susan L. Crews of Salem, Missouri; grandson, Nathaniel A. 
Alterauge of Salem, Missouri; brothers, Jack Bruner and wife Margartia of 
Costa Rica, Dr. Ronald Bruner of Waynesville, Missouri; sister, Denna 
Youngman and husband Luke of Columbia, Missouri; other relatives and 
friends.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the 
Dillard Mill with Ken Fiebelman officiating. Music was provided by Endell 
Taylor.
Interment was in the Boss Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, Salem, 
Missouri


David Hanson McGinnis

David McGinnis of Cuba, Missouri, formerly of Steelville, Missouri was born 
on Saturday, November 13, 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri to Albert Eugene and 
Vernell Marshall McGinnis and passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the 
age of 61 years, 10 months and 20 days.
David married Mary Winters on December 4, 1967 in St. Louis, Missouri and 
to this union three children were born.
He previously worked for Meramec Electrical Products Co. making transformer 
parts. He attended the United Pentecostal Church of Cuba and recently 
accepted the Lord. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, wood working, trading, 
going to yard sales and auctions. He enjoyed visiting with friends and was a 
prankster.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert McGinnis and uncle, Norman 
Springett.
He is survived by his mother, Vernell M. Aldrich of Leasburg, Missouri; 
children, David M. (Paula) McGinnis of Steelville, Missouri, Albert 
(Melissa) McGinnis of Cuba, Missouri and Amy McGinnis (Chris) Hofmann of 
Troy, Missouri; ex-wife, Mary McGinnis of Cuba, Missouri; brothers, Michael 
McGinnis of Tampa, Florida, and Richard (Evie) Aldrich of Temple, Oklahoma; 
sister, Judi Seemiller of Leasburg, Missouri; special friend, Janet Combs 
of Cuba, Missouri; grandchildren, Andrew and Austin McGinnis of Steelville, 
Missouri, Amity McGinnis of Bourbon, Missouri, Cain Warren of Troy, 
Missouri, Tyler, Alyssa and Austin Hofmann; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Hutson 
Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri. Funeral service was Friday, 
October 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, Missouri 
with Pastor Kevin Farr officiating.
Burial was at the Steelville Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, 
Missouri.



Elnora Nipper

Elnora “Snook” Nipper nee Brand of St. Louis, Missouri formerly of 
Steelville, Missouri was born on Tuesday, October 5, 1920 in Cuba, Missouri 
to Rev. John Franklin and Mary E. Jones Brand and passed away on Sunday, 
October 10, 2010 at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri at the age 
of 90 years and 5 days.
Elnora attended a business school in St. Louis when she was 17 years of 
age.
She married Clarence Nipper in St. Charles, Missouri on March 21, 1940 
and to this union two sons were born.
She worked as a cook in the Juvenile Detention Center in St. Louis, 
Missouri for many years. She was a member of the Center Point Baptist 
Church, Steelville, Missouri. Her hobbies were cooking, baking, and 
gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Brand; stepmother, 
Bertha Brand; sisters, Rosella (Esco) Mincher, Anna (Ralph) Ray, Verna 
(Carroll) Farrar and infant sister, Mary Ruby Brand; brothers, Thomas 
(Dorothy) Ludwick, Jewell, John, David, Leslie and Oliver Brand; infant 
brothers, Floyd and Lloyd Brand and daughter-in-law, Lorine Nipper.
She is survived by her sons, Ronald C. (JoAnn) Nipper of Mesa, Arizona 
and Michael D. Nipper of St. Louis, Missouri; nine grandchildren; 21 great 
grandchildren; five great great grandchildren sister-in-law, Reba Brand of 
Steelville, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was Tuesday, October 12, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. and funeral service 
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, 
Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating.
Burial was at the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, 
Missouri.



Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Setzer

Kenneth “Kenny” Ray Setzer of Steelville, Missouri was born August 12, 1967
in Rolla, Missouri to Everett and Darlene (Quinton) Setzer and passed away 
Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the age of 43 years.
On April 2, 1988 in Cuba, Missouri he married Donna Whitman.
Kenny worked in Bourbon for Don Reeves in his sawmill for 21 years and 
later became partners with John Breese in their business, Christian 
Carpenters.
He attended the Freewill Baptist Church in Cuba. He was a bus driver for 
the youth group. In his spare time he loved to go camping and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Setzer; brothers, Welsey 
and James Setzer; father-in-law, Art Whitman; brothers-in-law, Jimmy 
Quinton and Darrell Halbert and sister-in-law, Vicky Whitman.
He is survived by his wife, Donna of Steelville, Missouri; his mother, 
Darlene Setzer of Steelville, Missouri; sons, Ryan Setzer, Brent Setzer 
and wife Rachel of Steelville, Missouri and Luke Carter and wife Georgia 
of Rolla, Missouri; daughters, Gabby Setzer and fiancé Lance Evans and 
Lissa Setzer of Steelville, Missouri; brothers, Billy Setzer and wife Debbie 
of Cuba, Missouri, Joe Setzer and wife Danielle and Sam Setzer and wife Lisa, 
all of Steelville, Missouri; sisters, Peggy Hicks and husband Raymond of 
Gary, Oklahoma, Shirley Halbert and Shelly Callahan and husband Jim all of 
Steelville, Missouri, Bonnie Bell and husband Mike of Cuba, Missouri, Debbie 
Whitman and husband Tim of Indianapolis, Indiana, Barbara Maib and husband 
Jeff of Gary, Oklahoma and Pam Martin and husband John of Cherryville, 
Missouri; grandchildren, Haleigh Setzer, Chase Setzer, Katlyn Carter, Cameron 
Carter and Tristin Carter; mother-in-law, Carol Cunningham of Pevely, 
Missouri; step-mother-in-law, Virginia Whitman of Steelville, Missouri; 
brothers-in-law, Kenny Whitman and wife Julie of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeff 
Whitman of Missouri, Mike Quinton and wife Jenny and David Whitman and wife 
Dana all of Steelville, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Brenda White and husband 
Gordon of Blue Eye, Missouri, Judy Whitman and husband Greg Mehas of Bourbon, 
Missouri, Chris Whitman of Pevely, Missouri, Laura Lindhorst and husband John 
of Festus, Missouri, Patty Quinton, Barbie Hardin and husband Wayne, all of 
Steelville, Missouri and Crystal Hollenback of Steelville, Missouri; other 
relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 4-9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the 
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Jimmy 
Harrison officiating. Special music of “Go Rest High” was sung by Don Reeves. 
Other special music of “Free Bird,” “Daddy’s Hands” and “You Can Let Go” 
were also played. Memories were shared by some of his children, Ryan Setzer, 
Lissa Setzer and Brent Setzer.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Martin Cemetery at Cherryville, 
Missouri.
Casket bearers were Ryan Sezter, Bill Setzer, Joe Setzer, Sam Setzer, John 
Breese, John Lindhorst and Elsworth “Red” Crow.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of 
Steelville, Missouri.



Donald R. Strong

Donald Roy Strong of Leasburg, Missouri was born to Roy H. and Auralia M. 
(Lamkin) Strong on June 27, 1929 in East St. Louis, Illinois and passed away 
Friday, October 8, 2010 in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 81 years.
Donald retired in 1985 from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after 31 
years of dedicated service. He honorably served his Country in the U.S. 
Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the V.F.W. and American 
Legion in Leasburg. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing 
the steel guitar and painting.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Auralia Strong; two 
brothers, Roger and James Strong; other relatives and friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Dawn and husband Bill Dotson of Leasburg, 
Missouri; three grandchildren, Melissa Stephens of Leasburg, Missouri, 
Darren Stephens and Gib Dotson, both of Cuba, Missouri; one great grand-
daughter, Gabby Qualls of Rolla, Missouri; one step-great granddaughter, 
Haileigh Robinson of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Monday, October 11, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Britton 
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at 
Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Chaplain Alan Amos.
Interment with full military honors followed at Lea Cemetery, Leasburg, 
Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, 
Missouri.


Charles Phillip West

Charles Phillip West of Owensville, Missouri was born September 18, 1940
in Owensville, Missouri to Alfred and Frances Scego West and passed away 
October 5, 2010 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri 
at the age of 70 years.
Charles served in the United States Marines. He worked as a bindery 
supervisor at Custom Printing Co. and was a member of the Immaculate 
Conception Catholic Church.
He married Judith Girardier on January 11, 1969 in Sullivan, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Frances West; one 
brother-in-law, Gary Girardier; sisters-in-law, Barbara Mohesky and 
Janice Wharam; nephew, David Brauks and great nephew, Chris Bohl.
He is survived by his wife, Judith; son, Phillip West and wife Robyn 
of St. James, Missouri; two daughters, Lori Angell and husband Rick of 
Rosebud, Missouri and Lisa West of St. Louis, Missouri; other relatives 
and friends.
Services were Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate 
Conception Church in Owensville, Missouri with Fr. Jeremy Secrist 
officiating.
Interment in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Owensville, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, 
Owensville, Missouri.



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

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