Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of October 13, 2009



Loran L. Cook

Loran L. Cook of Rolla, Missouri was born in Phelps County, Missouri on
November 22, 1927, to Speck and Elsie (Taylor) Cook and passed away
October 1, 2009, at the age of 81 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Speck and Elsie Cook; one grandchild,
two brothers and one sister.
He is survived by four children, Carolyn Cook of Rolla, Missouri, Wayne Cook
of St. James, Missouri, Patsy German of Rolla, Missouri and Dennis Cook of
Rolla, Missouri; one sister, Opal Davis of Rolla, Missouri; nine grand-
children; other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009 in
the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
All arrangements are under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home in
Rolla, Missouri.



Benjamin Franklin Cooley

Benjamin Franklin Cooley was born April 12, 1932, in Rolla, Missouri to Sim
Otis Cooley, and Myrtle Ivy (Kennedy) Cooley and passed away Tuesday,
October 6, 2009, just 99 days after his wife of 53 years, Phyllis Cooley,
passed away. He was 77 years old.
Ben, or “Frank”, (as he was known to many) graduated from John F. Hodge High
School in St. James, Missouri in 1950.
On June 2, 1956, upon returning home from an active duty military assignment,
he was united in marriage to Winifred Phyllis Watkins in St. James,
Missouri. To this union, three children were born.
Ben worked various jobs in Rolla before making a lifelong career as a Civil
Servant and Soldier. He worked in Fort Leonard Wood, retiring after 25 years
as a telephone cable splicer. He also retired, after 40 years of active duty
and reserve years, as a Chief Warrant Officer in the United States
Army. Because of his strong work ethic, after retirement, he continued to
work various jobs in Rolla and St. James.
Ben was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and enjoyed membership in various
other Fraternal organizations, including Order of the Eastern Star–Rolla
Chapter #176, Order of the Amaranth, and National Sojourners, Inc. Through
the years, he held various positions of distinction in these organizations,
enjoying the friendship and camaraderie among fellow members. He was also a
member of the Korean War Veterans Association.
H was preceded in death by his parents, Sim and Myrtle Cooley; his wife of
53 years, Phyllis Cooley; sister, Leah Hope Cooley; three brothers, Carl
Cooley, Jack Cooley, and Tom Cooley; two sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law
and one nephew.
He is survived by a son, Franklin Craig Cooley and his wife Billie of
Staffordsville, Kentucky; daughters, Winifred Marlene Feeler of St. James,
Missouri and Patricia Lynne Ramsey and her husband Thomas of Norman,
Oklahoma; seven grandchildren, Michael Ball and family, Rachel Cooley, Ben
Cooley, Becky Losing, Megan Feeler, Matthew Ramsey, and Andrew Ramsey;
great grandchildren, Mikayla Ray and Jarrett Ray; three sisters, Faith
Peterman, Esther Havey, and Grace Shoemate; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Sunday, October 11, 2009 at James and Gahr Mortuary
in Rolla, Missouri. A Masonic service began at 5 p.m. followed by visitation
for family and friends from 5-7 p.m.
Funeral service was at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 12, with interment
following at Ozark Memorial Gardens in Rolla, Missouri with full military
honors.
Military pallbearers were provided, with Honorary pallbearers being Thomas
Ramsey, Elmer Peterman, Al Havey, John Havens, Wallace Havens, Franklin
Havens and nephews.
Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary, Rolla,
Missouri.



Delores F. Gault

Delores F. Gault of Arnold, Missouri was born to the union of Major Jackson
Welker and Irene (Thompson) Welker on Saturday, July 29, 1933 at Cape
Girardeau, Missouri and passed away Thursday, October 8, 2009 at St. Louis,
Missouri at the age of 76.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Major Jackson Welker and Irene
(Thompson) Reed; step father, Marion Reed; two sons, Michael and Mark Willy
and one daughter, Robyn M. Austin.
She is survived by her daughter, Kim Stout of Bourbon, Missouri; son, Ted
Austin of St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Barbara Jean Summers of Crestwood,
Missouri; other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. at
St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cape Girardeau, Missouri with Father Tom Kiefer
officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.



Donald R. Glenn

Donald R. Glenn, Sr. of Owensville, Missouri was born on Sunday,
December 15, 1940 in Kinder, Missouri to Noel M. Glenn and Violet Stroup
Glenn and passed away at St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri on
Friday, October 9, 2009 at the age of 68 years, 9 months and 24 days.
Don married Patricia Ann Sevcik in St. Louis, Missouri on July 9, 1960 and
to this union four children were born.
He was a welder working with Bud Blume at Cuba Hardware for 10 years. His
hobbies were bowling and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald Ray Glenn, Jr.;
mother-in-law, Marion Wideman; sisters-in-law, Sandra Gould and Katy Glenn;
brother, James Glenn; and step father-in-law, Orville “Red” Wideman.
He is survived by his wife, Pat Glenn of the home; children, Dale (Louise)
Glenn of St. Louis, Missouri, Terry (Linda) Glenn of Owensville, Missouri,
Linda Murray and friend James Keel of Valley Park, Missouri; daughter-in-law,
Jodi Glenn of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Noel L. Glenn of
St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Sue (James) Burns of Waterloo, Illinois;
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Toni (Randy) McClary of Owensville,
Missouri, Charlotte Gould of Mesa, Arizona, Barbara (Richard) Wirz of Rolla,
Missouri and Charles (Kay) Sevcik of Sacramento, California; grandchildren,
Christy and Brandon Glenn, Brian and Josh Murray, Donald Glenn III, John
McLean, Eric and Dedra Glenn; five great grandchildren; other relatives and
friends.
Visitation was Monday, October 12, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home,
Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Hutson Funeral
Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating.
Burial at the Licklider Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.



Elroy “Dick” Steven Hepperman

Elroy Steven “Dick” Hepperman of Cuba, Missouri was born Saturday,
December 9, 1922 at Wentzville, Missouri to the union of Stephen and
Elizabeth (nee Tochtrop) Heppermann and passed away Friday, October 9, 2009
at St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 86 years and 10 months.
Dick was united in marriage to Oleta Nichols on May 1, 1948 at Troy, Missouri
and to this union three children were born.
Dick proudly served our country while in the United States Army from
2 January 1945 till 12 December 1946.
He spent his entire life working on the farm. He raised cattle, corn,
soybeans, wheat and hay. In his spare time he enjoyed coon hunting and
bowling, but what he enjoyed most was his family and spending time with them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephen and Elizabeth Heppermann;
wife Oleta Hepperman; great granddaughter, Sydni Pfeiffer; brother, John
Heppermann; sisters, Odelia and husband John Arthur Smith and Irene Matlock;
other relatives and friends.
He is survived by three children, Linda and husband Bill Brennan of Cuba,
Missouri, Steve Heppermann of Cuba, Missouri and Lora and husband Keith Donze
of Owensville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Tracey Klein, Trisha and husband
Richard Counts, Stacey Brooke and husband Larry Allen, Joshua Heppermann and
Erin and husband Brad Pfeiffer; 10 great grandchildren, Jeremiah,
Christopher, Devon, Mariah and Gabreille Klein, Ryan and Makayla Counts,
Madison Brooke Allen, Camden Joshua Heppermann and Karli Pfeiffer; one sister,
Lillian Burr of St. Louis, Missouri; sister-in-law, Maryann Heppermann of
Wentzville, Missouri; brother-in-law, Eldon and wife Pat Nichols; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was Monday, October 12, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Bill Nichols officiating. Special
music will be “Go Rest High on that Mountain,” “When I Get to Where I’m Going”
and “I Believe.”
Pallbearers were Bill Brennan, Keith Donze, Joshua Heppermann, Richard Counts,
Brad Pfeiffer and Larry Allen.
Interment followed at Meramec Hills Cemetery of Cuba, Missouri with full
military honors.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Missouri.



Guy Ellsworth (Jack) Kinsey

Guy Ellsworth (Jack) Kinsey was born at High Gate, Missouri on May 9, 1918
to Wilton Kinsey and Nellie (Love) Kinsey and passed away on Friday,
October 9, 2009, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri, at
the age of 91 years.
Guy was united in marriage to Ida Mae (Bullock) Kinsey of St. James,
Missouri on September 26, 1966, in Potosi, Missouri.
He graduated from the University of Missouri, Rolla, with a business
administration degree. He served his country proudly during World War II as
a Corporal in the United States Army/Air Force. He received a Good Conduct
Medal during his military service. Guy worked for the Ford Motor Company
and later went to work for the Keystone Seed Company in St. Louis, Missouri
and then transferred to Keystone Seed Company in Hollister, California. He
and his wife Ida Mae lived in Gilroy, California until his retirement. Guy
loved wood carving, reading westerns, keeping in touch with friends, going
to church, and serving God. He served as head usher at the First Baptist
Church in St. James, Missouri for many years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilton and Nellie Kinsey; brother,
Max Kinsey; and his first wife, Helen (Devault) Kinsey, who died in child-
birth.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Mae (Bullock) Kinsey of St. James, Missouri;
sons, Gary Lee and wife Joann Kinsey, Galena, Missouri and Lee Odell and
wife Darlene Frey, St. James, Missouri; daughter, Barbara and husband
Kenneth Keeney of St. James, Missouri; grandchildren, Matt Kinsey and wife
Cammie of Ft. Worth, Texas, Helen Fields and husband Mike of Wentzville,
Missouri, Matt and Freddie Keeney and Donald Keeney and wife Melissa, all of
St. James, Missouri; nine great grandchildren; other relatives and
friends. Visitation was held Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at the
Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.
Funeral services were held on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the
Jones Funeral Chapel in St. James, Missouri with Rev. Michael Ryan
officiating.
Burial was held at High Gate Cemetery, High Gate, Missouri with full
military honors.
All arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James,
Missouri.



William “Bill” Lewis

William “Bill” Lewis of Cuba, Missouri was born on Tuesday, October 13, 1931
in Cuba, Missouri to Clarence Emmette Lewis, Sr. and Birdie L. Reeves Lewis
and passed away Saturday, October 10, 2009 at MO Baptist Hospital, Sullivan,
Missouri at the age of 77 years, 11 months and 27 days.
William married Georgia Irene Conner on August 5, 1950 at Cuba, Missouri and
to this union two children were born.
He worked for Brown Shoe Company in Steelville, Bernie, and Charleston,
Missouri, retiring after 44 years as plant engineer. He then worked a few
years as a truck driver for Midwest Fuels in Moberly, Missouri. His hobbies
were flying his Cessna aircraft and traveling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Birdie Lewis; brother,
Robert (Cathy) Lewis; sister, Evelyn Bayless; and sister-in-law, Belva Lewis.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia Irene Lewis of the home; children, Carol
(Robert) Kumbera of Cuba, Missouri and Scott (Lisa) Lewis of W. Palm Beach,
Florida; brother, Jack Lewis of Steelville, Missouri; sisters, Dorothy Jarvis
of Gainesville, Texas and Florence Anderton of Boonville, Missouri; sister-in-
law, Helen (Bob) Shasserre of Steelville, Missouri; grandchildren, Christine
(David) Smith of Richmond Hill, Georgia, Tyler (Cathy) Copenhaver of O’Fallon,
Missouri, Stacey Copenhaver of Nashville, Tennessee, Paige and Loren Lewis of
W. Palm Beach, Florida; great grandchildren, Kyle Smith and Ashley Copenhaver.
Visitation was Monday, October 12, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. and funeral service was
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri
with Rev. Pat Gruver officiating.
Burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri.



Mildred E. Pilger

Mildred E. Pilger of Rolla, Missouri was born on January 4, 1929 in Kansas
City, Missouri to Roy and Ethel (Kinard) Brumitt and passed away Monday,
October 5, 2009 at the Rolla Manor Care Center at the age of 80.
She was married to Lawrence Pilger. She was baptized into the Baptist faith
at an early age.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Ethel Brumitt and
husband, Lawrence Pilger.
She is survived by two sisters, Joann Gollahon and husband Don of North
Hollywood, California and Beulah Schatzer of Jefferson City, Missouri;
sister-in-law, June Wynn of St. James, Missouri; dear friend and neighbor,
Jessie Nation of Rolla, Missouri; other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at
the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rolla, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Null & Son Funeral Home of Rolla,
Missouri.



Cathern Elizabeth Saunders

Cathern Elizabeth Saunders of Leasburg, Missouri, passed away on Friday,
October 9, 2009, at the age of 77 years.
She is survived by her husband, William Saunders of the family home; three
sons, Joe H. Saunders of Claymore, Oklahoma, Norman J. May, Jr. and wife
Laurie of Litchfield, Illinois and Stanley J. Smith of Stanton, Missouri;
six daughters, Brenda I. Ray of Linn, Missouri, Beverly I. Stief of Columbia,
Missouri, Bonney I. Moseley and husband Slater of Holts Summit, Missouri,
Kay L. Harding and husband Monty of North Pole, Alaska, Jane N. Behrens and
husband Dean of St. Charles, Missouri and Kathleen A. Bunten-Coffman and
husband Greg of Leasburg, Missouri; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren;
other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Monday, October 12, 2009 from 5-8 p.m.
Services were conducted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at the
Southside Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home, 301 Sappington Bridge Road in
Sullivan with burial in Evergreen Cemetery following.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan,
Missouri.


Flora Short

Flora Short of Maryland Heights, Missouri, formerly of Steelville, Missouri,
was born July 26, 1908 in Tennessee to Thomas and Betty (Wyatt) Bailey and
passed away Friday, October 2, 2009 at the National Health Care Nursing Home
in Maryland Heights, Missouri at the age of 101 years.
On October 28, 1928 at Cook Station, Missouri she was united in marriage to
Bryon Litton Short.
After her husband, Bryon, retired they moved back to Steelville, Missouri in
1969. While living in Steelville Flora was very faithful to her church, the
First Assembly of God, and was the last living charter member. In 1990,
Flora moved back to the St. Louis area to be near her daughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryon after 57 years of marriage;
son-in-law, Bill Ragan; two brothers, Clarence Bailey and George Bailey;
four sisters, Eula Bailey, Euna Reeves and husband Tom, Lovie Ogle and
husband Raymond and Madie Eaton and husband Claude.
She is survived by her daughter, Betty Ragan of St. Ann, Missouri; six
grandchildren, Dennis Ragan and wife Sue, Ronald Ragan, Robert Ragan, Debby
Knight and husband Sam, Terry Ragan and wife Jane and Vicky Didden and
husband, Joe; 10 great grandchildren, Kimberly, Anna, Patty, Kristen, Ashley,
Gage, Danny, Sean, Hayley and Cody; 11 great great grandchildren; other
relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 2-8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers
officiating. Special music of “How Great Thou Art”, “Because He Lives” and
“Amazing Grace was sung by Gary Hardecke and accompanied on piano by Sharon
Hardecke.
Committal prayer and burial were in the Steelville Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Dennis Ragan, Ronald Ragan, Robert Ragan, Terry Ragan,
Sam Knight and Jeremy Medlock.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.



Betty Lou Stricklin

Betty Lou Stricklin, 69, of Cherryville, Missouri was born June 15, 1940 in
Cherryville, Missouri to Herman Rufus Godbey and Mabel Hutson Godbey and
passed away Thursday, October 8, 2009 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in
St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 69 years.
On May 29, 1958 in Cherryville, Missouri, Betty Lou was united in marriage
to Jesse Edmond Stricklin.
Betty Lou spent her entire life at Cherryville and in her spare time, she
enjoyed painting, gardening, growing flowers and going to auctions. But most
of all she enjoyed and loved her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Mabel Godbey; one
brother, Charles Godbey; one sister, Loretta Godbey; and one sister-in-law,
Zeldia Godbey.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jessie Stricklin of Cherryville,
Missouri; one son, Jessie Stricklin, Jr. and wife Deloris of Cherryville,
Missouri; two daughters, Jenny Wren and husband David of Steelville, Missouri
and Cheryl Leasor and husband Charles of Cherryville, Missouri; two brothers,
Marvin Godbey and Rainey Godbey and wife Joan all of St. Charles, Missouri;
one sister-in-law, Sally Godbey of Pacific, Missouri; seven grandchildren,
Thomas A. Stricklin, Kenneth M. Murray, Amanda G. Fox, Nicole L. Wren,
Natasha R. Volner, Jennifer J. Roberts and Charles Edmund Leasor; nine great
grandchildren, Michael M. Murray, Hanna N. Fox, Darion A. Fox, Chloe J.
Nelson, Kyle A. Fox, Larissa Nicole Green, Kaelyn LeAnn Volner, Micah
Joseph Volner and Julian Benjamin Roberts; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Britton-
Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the
Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Bob Coleman
officiating. Special music of “Amazing Grace” was sung by Bob and Carol
Coleman accompanied by Josh Coleman and closing music of “Go Rest High” was
played.
Casket Bearers were Kenneth Murray, Tom Stricklin, Charles Eddie Leasor,
Larry Godbey, Ted Godbey and Ken Godbey.
Committal prayer and burial were in the New Home Cemetery at Cherryville,
Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of
Steelville, Missouri.



Cecil D. Stricklin

Cecil Delbert Stricklin of Cuba, Missouri was born to the union of Leslie and
Ethel Mae (Pyatt) Stricklin on Thursday, November 6, 1930 at Bixby, Missouri
and passed away Monday, October 5, 2009 at Rolla, Missouri at the age of 78
years, 10 months and 29 days.
Cecil was united in marriage to Betty Jean (Reeves) Stricklin on
February 20, 1953 at Steelville, Missouri and to this union two daughters
were born.
Cecil was a factory worker and logger most of his life. He enjoyed working on
cars and teaching his grandchildren how to work on different things.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Ethel Mae (Pyatt)
Stricklin; three brothers, Lawrence and wife Rosie Stricklin, Cletis
Stricklin and James Henry Stricklin; two infant sisters; other relatives and
friends.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Stricklin of the home; two daughters,
Linda Darlene Wurth and friend Don Rodgers and Phyllis and husband Calvin
Murray, all of Cuba, Missouri; five grandchildren, Steve and wife Becky
Stricklin of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, Dillon and Collin Murray both of
Cuba, Missouri James and Nicole Rodgers of St. Louis, Missouri; two great
granddaughters, Sierra Corman and Autumn Stricklin of Tinton Falls, New
Jersey; three brothers, Jessie and wife Betty Stricklin of Cherryville,
Missouri, Norman Stricklin of Bourbon, Missouri and Roman and wife Barbara
Stricklin of Steelville, Missouri; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John
and wife Tiny Reeves, Clarence and wife Mary Reeves, Norma and husband
Richard Bridgeman, Helen and husband Charlie Vaughn, all of Cuba, Missouri;
other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton
Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri.
Funeral was held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Britton Funeral
Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Don Martin and Justin Mosher, officiating.
Interment will follow at Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri.
Honored to be serving as pallbearers were Dillon Murray, Ethan King, James
Rodgers, Kenny Stricklin, Kevin Bridgeman and Oran Reeves.
Arrangements 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.threeriverspublishing.com/>

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