Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of Oct. 23, 2002
Virginia L. Arakaki
Virginia Lee Arakaki (Cunningham), age 70, of Granite City, Illinois, went
home to be with the Lord, October 1, 2002 at Forest Park Hospital in St.
Louis, after a long illness of A.L.S.
She was born June 20, 1932, Cuba, Mo., sixth child of the late Anna Susan
(Caulley) and Jackson Harvey Cunningham. She was married to Regional S.
Arakaki who preceded her in death. To this union there were three children:
Michael Arakaki (deceased), Darleen Arakaki Azar, and Alan Arakaki.
She was a homemaker and member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Granite City,
Illinois.
She is survived by her daughter Darleen (Chris) Azar of Glen Carbon,
Illinois, son Alan (Camille) Arakaki of Granite City. Seven grandchildren,
Kyle, Kea, Michelle, Melissa, Aaron, Justin, and Jessica Arakaki. Five
sisters, Carrie Connelly of Granite City, Marie Farshee of MI, Betty
Holleuffer of St. Louis, Mo., Bertie Morris of MI, and Leotta Beck of AL.
Six brothers, Thomas Cunningham of NJ, John H. Cunningham of Florida,
Sherman Cunningham of St. Peters, Mo., Robert Cunningham of Sullivan, Mo.,
Franklin and Charles Cunningham, both of Cuba, Mo.
Funeral services were Friday, October 4, 2002, at Emmanuel Baptist Church
with the Rev. Steve Kendrick officiating. Burial was in Jefferson Barracks
National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Irwin Chapel in Granite City handled
the arrangements.
She is gone, but not forgotten.
James Edgar Coffman, III
James Edgar Coffman, III, age 39, of Bonnots Mill, died Monday, October 14,
2002, in Osage County. He was born June 15, 1963 in St. Louis, Missouri,
the son of James Edgar Coffman, Jr. and Loretta C. Schaefer Coffman. He
attended schools in Steelville, Missouri. He was married May 15, 1982, in
Taos, Missouri to Victoria "Vickie" Toebben, who survives.
He was owner/operator of Coffman Concrete Construction since 1994. He
previously worked for Mueller Landscaping. He was a member of St. Louis
Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, antiquing and
Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.
He is also survived by a son, James E. "Jimmy" Coffman, IV of the home; a
daughter Sarah R. Coffman of the home; his mother Loretta C. Coffman of
Wardsville and two sisters Barbara Heiford of Osage City, Missouri and
Louisa Morton of St. Louis, Missouri.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, October 17 at the
Houser-Millard Funeral Directors - Taos Chapel, with a prayer service at
7:30 p.m. Additional visitation was held from 9-9:45 a.m. Friday, October
18 at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 18, 2002 at
the St. Louis Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill, with Fr. Gregory C. Meystrik
officiating. Graveside services were held at 4 p.m. Friday at the
Steelville Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri.
Arrangements were under the direction of Houser-Millard Funeral Directors -
Taos Chapel.
Rowena Bass Cole
Rowena Bass Cole was born January 17, 1909 and expired on Thursday, October
10, 2002 at the Meadows. She and her twin brother Rowland were born in
Steelville, Missouri to Claude and Pearl Bass. She is a graduate of
Steelville High School.
She is survived by her son Michael Cole, of Albuquerque and her daughter
Suzanne and husband Garrett Hoffman of Canyon Lake, Texas.
She received a AA degree from Stephens College, a BS degree from the
University of Missouri and completed graduate studies at the University of
Chicago Graduate School of Social Work.
Following her studies at the University of Chicago, she held the position
of Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Kansas and Illinois.
During World War II she served in the European Theater with the American
Red Cross in England, France and Germany.
In Norwich, England she held the position as Director of the Leave Club for
the US Army Air Corps, sponsored by the American Red Cross. While stationed
in France overseeing the Civilian War Relief Program for France and
Germany, she was headquartered in Melun, France and a guest of Madame
Sommier, at her Louis XIV castle, known as Vaux-Le Vicomte.
A 53 year resident of Albuquerque, Rowena served as the USA Field Director
of the Veterans Hospital, served on the board of directors of the Frances
Lynn Home, Program Chairman of the Assistance League of Albuquerque,
Brownie Leader, organizer of the Sister Cities Program visit to Sasebo,
Japan, and a member in good standing of the Foreign Student Committee,
where she raised funds and assisted with placement of foreign students.
She was a charter member of the Gamma Phi Beta Albuquerque Alumni Chapter
and delighted in hosting many sorority events and Christmas parties at her
home.
She enjoyed flower arranging, gardening, painting and reading. Rowena was
known as a gracious hostess and excellent cook, by all that knew her. She
loved to plan parties, welcoming friends, young and old into her home.
A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 21, 2002 at
St. Mark's On the Mesa Episcopal Church.
John David Pipkin, Sr.
John David Pipkin, Sr. was born Sunday, December 23, 1956 in Trona,
California to the late Alonzo Pipkin and Marian Jean Skillen Pipkin and was
found Monday, October 14, 2002 after taking his own life a few days earlier
attaining the age of 45 years, 9 months and 21 days.
John grew up in the state of California, attended school through the
eleventh grade, entered the military where he obtained his GED. John served
his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. John
spent most of his working life as a truck driver.
Whlie in Missouri, John lived in Union, Bourbon and Steelville. He enjoyed
fishing and being outdoors. John accepted the Lord and was baptized into
the Cross Roads Baptist Church a few years ago.
John is preceded in death by his parents, one brother Christopher Pipkin,
and his father-in-law Robert Cannon. Those who remain to mourn his passing
are his wife Lisa Pipkin of Calhoun, Tennessee; his children Stephanie
Pipkin of Willard, Missouri; and John David Pipkin, Jr. of Calhoun,
Tennessee.
His brothers and sisters George Pipkin and wife Judy of Trona, California;
Allen Pipkin of Snow Creek, Colorado; Cathleen Harrison of Tucson, Arizona;
and Linda Cox and husband James of Trona, California.
Mother-in-law Anna Cannon of Leasburg, Missouri and special friend Melody
Brewer and sons Calem and Chad Brewer of Steelville, Missouri; nieces,
nephews, cousins and friends all who will sadly miss and fondly remember
John David Pipkin, Sr.
Memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2002 at the
Cross Roads Baptist Church with Rev. Bobby Higgins officiating. Burial in
the Trona Cemetery, Trona, California. All arrangements under the direction
of the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri.
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Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
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