Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of October 22, 2008 Norman W. Fry Norman W. Fry, of Las Vegas, Neveda was born on April 18, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late David F. and Edna (Fair) Fry and passed away Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Nathan Adelson In-Care Center in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 71 years. He is survived by his children, Doug Fry and wife Donna of Las Vegas, Nevada, Rhonda Wallace and husband Kevin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Steve Fry and partner Jim of Los Angeles, California and Tony Fry and wife Karen of Highland, Utah; his sister, Carol Gillespie of Colorado Springs, Colorado; two brothers, Fred Fry and wife Okay of Coeur D Alene, Idaho and Gary Fry of Ripon, California; five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Gravesides services were held on Saturday, October 18 at 11 a.m. at the Licklider Cemetery at Jake’s Prairie, Missouri with Rhonda Wallace officiating. Linda Lou Hughes Linda Lou Hughes of Leasburg, formerly of Steelville, Missouri was born September 6, 1950 to Willard and Mae (Harris) Starks and passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at the Cuba Manor in Cuba, Missouri at the age of 58 years. On October 14, 1989 she was married to Mark Hughes in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She attended East Central College in Union and became certified as a nursing assistant in 1983. Linda attended Covenant Praise Church in Cuba. She enjoyed computers, crossword puzzles, family gatherings and especially all of the times she had with her family. She was preceded in death by her father and sister-in-law, Sue Starks. She is survived by her mother, Mae Farrar of Sullivan, Missouri; her husband, Mark Hughes of Leasburg, Missouri; two sons, Kevin Dale Kreamalmyer of WI and Richard Kreamalmyer and wife Jessica of Rolla, Missouri; one step-son, Raymond Hughes of Colorado; three brothers, Scott Starks of Leasburg, Missouri, David Metcalf of Bourbon, Missouri and Roger Farrar and wife Tina of Cuba, Missouri; one sister, Gina Adams and husband Les of Sullivan, Missouri; four grandchildren, Tyler and Hunter Kreamalmyer and Nathan and Jeremy Kreamalmyer; other relatives and friends. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Steelville Cemetery with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. Special music of “Precious Memories,” “Amazing Grace” and “Further Along” were sung by Kathy Dotson. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Catherine J. Krekeler Catherine Johanna Krekeler of Cuba, Missouri was born to the union of Andrew P. and Tena (Smit) Bollen on June 16, 1911 in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 in Cuba, Missouri at the age of 97 years, 4 months and 1 day. Catherine was united in marriage to Frank A. Krekeler, Sr. on December 31, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a long time parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was a member of the Three Mile Prairie Club Extension, Oak Hill Extension Club, former member and officer of the Cuba Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, flower gardening and cooking. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one brother, Andrew P. Bollen, Jr.; other relatives and friends. She is survived by two daughters, Catherine JoAnn Mullen and husband Delbert of Cuba, Missouri and Kay Medwick-Pascoe and husband Hugh of Dade City, Florida; one son, Frank A. Krekeler, Jr. and wife Connie of College Station, Texas; five grandchildren, Joseph M. Medwick III of Cuba, Missouri, Lisa M. Levy of Safety Harbor, Florida, Frank A. Krekeler III and Cynthia Fay Moore of Houston, Texas and Tara Ann Brewer of Cuba, Missouri; 10 great grandchildren, Kayla, Alex and Jenna Medwick, Erica and Emily Levy, Tyler and Jordan Moore, Devan, Kelsey and Regan Brewer; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Monday, October 20, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral Mass was Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father James Finder as the Celebrant. Interment in Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Theodore “Ted” W. Lakaner Theodore “Ted” W. Lakaner of Cuba, Missouri was born to the union of William A. and Jenny Mable (Shoop) Lakaner on October 3, 1933 in Steelville, Missouri and passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 at the age of 75 years and 14 days. Ted was united in marriage to Elaine G. Smith on July 4, 1953 in Steelville, Missouri and to this union three children were born. He was a member of the Straightway Baptist Church in Steelville and proudly served his Country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, walks in the woods, old cars and truck driving. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elaine G. (Smith) Lakaner; other relatives and friends. He is survived by two sons, Michael and friend Paula Lakaner of Cuba, Missouri, Kevin and wife Christy Lakaner of Leasburg, Missouri; one daughter, Sandy Boekemier of St. Charles, Missouri; one brother, Edward and wife Doris Lakaner of Bourbon, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Tim, James, Vickie, McKayla, McKenzy, Nicholas, Madison and Alisha, nine great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Sunday, October 19, 2008 5-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral was held Monday, October 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Straightway Baptist Church, Steelville, Missouri with Pastor Alan Miles, officiating. Interment in Straightway Baptist Church Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri with full military honors. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Orville Hollis Lohden Orville Hollis Lohden of Washington, Missouri, formerly of Leasburg, Missouri was born on February 14, 1938 in Glasgow, Kentucky to Aaron Lohden and Hattie Lohden nee Williams and passed away October 11, 2008 in Washington, Missouri at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 27 days. On May 28, 1994 Orville was united in marriage to Helen Pearl Holland. He was a Christian and follower of the Protestant faith. In later years he attended Oak Grove Baptist Church in Lonedell, Missouri. He started driving commercial trucks at the age of 18 and worked primarily throughout his adult life as an owner/operator in the trucking industry. He had the reputation of never meeting a stranger and of being a man who genuinely loved people. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Orville Hollis Lohden Jr.; two brothers, J.C. and Charles Lohden; four sisters, Christine Atnip, Shirley Lowe, Dorothy Duke and Janie Pearl Lohden. He is survived by six children, Cheryl Williams of Sullivan, Missouri, Kim DeBrecht of Sullivan, Missouri, Christy Payne and husband Robbie of St. James, Missouri, Michael Lohden and wife Bethany of Sullivan, Missouri Darrell Lohden of Evansville, Indiana and Darlene Crider of St. James, Missouri; four step children, Pamela Menefee and husband Ed, Teena Stephens, Tonya Gammill, all of Washington, Missouri and Brenda Moore and husband Kevin of Springfield, Missouri; one brother, Carl Lohden and wife Mary of Jeffersonville, Indiana; two sisters, Barbara Watson of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Wastella Hoover of Bowling Green, Kentucky; 22 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair, Missouri with Rev. Jeff Bent officiating. Entombment was in Crestview Memorial Park, St. Clair, Missouri. Russell Earl Ryerson Rev. Russell Earl Ryerson of Cuba, Missouri was born Tuesday, August 14, 1928 at Eugene, Missouri to the union of Jess and Ruby (nee Winters) Ryerson and passed away Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Phelps Country Regional Medical Center at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 5 days. Russell was united in marriage to Anna Margaret Harper on October 4, 1948 at Potosi, Missouri and to this union 10 children were born. He worked as a logger in his younger years. He worked 11 years at Ramsey’s in Sullivan as a machine operator, but what he did for 40+ years of his life was be a minister, clergy and evangelist. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord. He was a member of the Living Waters Fellowship Church in St. James, Missouri. In spare time he enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, taking care of his fruit trees and was a Sunday school teacher for years. But what was most important to him was his family and spending time with them. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Louis and Donald Ryerson; two sons, Billy Wayne and Jimmy Lee Ryerson; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his wife of 60 years of the home; eight children, Betty Ryerson of Cuba, Missouri, Margaret Baylock of Michigan, Velma Humphrey of Cuba, Missouri, Rose Ryerson of Potosi, Missouri, Russell Ryerson of Goodfield, Illinois, Richard and wife Ellen Ryerson of Cherryville, Missouri, Vernon and wife Esther Ryerson of Cuba, Missouri and Timothy and wife Jeanie Ryerson of Cuba, Missouri; 23 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, October 21, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Brother Leslie Buckner officiating. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Gene Spurgeon Gene Spurgeon of Cuba, Missouri was born on Monday, May 3, 1943 at Crawford County, Missouri to the union of Omar and Gertrude F. (nee Howard) Spurgeon and passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 65 years, 5 months and 11 days. Gene proudly served our country during Vietnam from July 27, 1966 until July 18, 1968 in the United States Army. He was a cattle farmer in Crawford County for many years and could be found every Tuesday at the sale barn in Cuba and on Thursday at the sale barn in St. Clair. He enjoyed taking care of animals and was known to several as the neighborhood vet. Gene was involved in politics in Crawford County for many years and served as the Crawford County District 2 Commissioner from 1987 until 1991. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jim Spurgeon; one brother-in-law, Ervin Hendrickson; other relatives and friends. He is survived by two sisters, Ruth Hendrickson of Owensville, Missouri and Frances and husband Charles Sutter of Nixa, Missouri; one brother, Don and wife Nancy Spurgeon of Cuba, Missouri; sister-in-law, Betty Spurgeon of Cuba, Missouri; nieces and nephews, Joy and husband Ray Brandenburger of Owensville, Missouri, Debbie and husband Dennis Grob of Highlandville, Missouri, Rhonda and husband Rick Grant of Cuba, Missouri, William “Bill” Alan and wife Sarah Sutter of Nixa, Missouri, Rick and wife Debbie Spurgeon of Cuba, Missouri, Tammy Spurgeon of Owensville, Missouri, Tina Ely of Leasburg, Missouri and Donnie Spurgeon of Cuba, Missouri; great nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008 at Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Woody Martin officiating. Pallbearers were Ralph Rutz, Larry Lorts, David Forster, Kevin Stone, Kenny Glaser and Chuck Davis. Interment at Bowen Cemetery, Redbird, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Nuel A. West Nuel Arthur West of St. James, Missouri was born Monday, July 25, 1949 at French Camp, California to the union of Harold William West and Mary Ann (nee Hall) West and passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla, Missouri at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 21 days. Nuel was united in marriage to Anna “Sue” Bell on July 23, 1990 at St. James, Missouri. Nuel worked as a mechanic for the Mile of Cars in San Diego, California for several years during his younger years. He was a partner in the Christmas Tree Business in Philmath, Oregon. There they planted the seedlings, grew the trees, trimmed the trees and then sold them for the holidays. He was a fishing guide at the Waterfall Resort in Ketchikan, Alaska. He worked as a carpenter at Mt. Charleston, Nevada and prior to his illness he worked at the Family Center in Rolla as a Small Engine Technician. He had the ability to fix, repair and build anything, from a clock or pocket watch to wrought iron furniture and anything in between. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, was an excellent pool player, could sing like Marty Robbins and could whistle any tune. He was “A man you would have liked to have known.” He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sisters; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his wife; two children, Kenny Lyle Schunn of Maryland and Nicole Marie West of Las Vegas, Nevada; two step children, John A. Bell II of St. James, Missouri and Aubrey Lynn Bell Fuhring of St. James, Missouri; one brother, David and wife Jeannie West of Los Angeles, California; one uncle, Nuel Hall of Imperial Valley, California; 10 grandchildren; other relatives and friends. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, October 26, 2008 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 E. Scioto, St. James, Missouri with Pastor Steve Barber officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Gerald Patrick Young Gerald Patrick Young of St. Louis, Missouri, formerly of Steelville, Missouri was born January 2, 1959 in Steelville, Missouri to Roy and Earline (Whalen) Young and passed away Monday, October 13, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 49 years. The last few years he worked as a business maintenance man in St. Louis. He was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church. He loved to hunt, fish, float the rivers and enjoy life. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Roy Linn Young. He is survived by his life partner, Toni Staats of St. Louis, Missouri; three daughters, Clarissa Schoenbeck and Amber Akins of Cuba, Missouri and Candice Young and partner, Mike Mueller of Steelville, Missouri; three brothers, Gaylord Young and wife Eloise of Washington, Missouri and Dale Young and wife Gean and Clay Young and wife Virginia all of Steelville, Missouri; seven grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was from noon to time of service on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of “Against the Wind” and “Go Rest High” was played. Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ************************************************ 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