Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of November 16, 2011 Berenice Anna Bast Berenice Anna Bast of Kansas City, Missouri formerly of Cuba, Missouri was born to Walter and Anna (Leight) Daehn on May 23, 1915 in Fenton, Missouri and passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at Kingswood Living Center in Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 96 years. Berenice was united in marriage to George Lester Bast on November 4, 1933 in Fenton, Missouri. They made their home in Cuba, Missouri in April of 1934. They enjoyed nearly 70 years together. Berenice was a homemaker, a parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, a member of the Ladies Altar Society, Charter member and Past President of the Riverside Homemaker Club. In 1984 she was awarded the Homemaker of the Year Award. She enjoyed playing pinochle, flower gardening, cooking, canning, sewing and taking care of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Anna Daehn; husband, George Lester Bast; one son, George Bast, Jr.; two daughters, Virginia and Jean Bast; two brothers, Frank and Clyde Daehn; one sister, Eileen Hollrath; other relatives and friends. She is survived by 10 children, Eugene Bast, Don and wife Linda Bast, all of Cuba, Missouri, Gerard and wife Carolyn Bast of Black Jack, Missouri, Bill and wife Nancy Bast of Athens, Georgia, Larry Bast of Strafford, Missouri, Charles and wife Suzanne Bast of Winchester, Kentucky, Sister Rose Bast, Joan and husband Dr. Leonardo Viril, Vera and husband Joe Maschek, Kay Bast, all of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother, Walter Daehn of Cuba, Missouri; 19 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one great grandchild; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father James Finder as the celebrant. Interment followed at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Mary H. Bingham Mary H. Bingham of Sullivan, Missouri was born on September 25, 1922 at Galena, Kansas to Fred and Elizabeth (Lapee) Tackitt and passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the age of 89 years. She was raised and later graduated from school there and came to Sullivan, Missouri in 1963 when her husband became employed at the former Meramec Mining Company.  Mary was employed as a hostess at the former Holiday Inn in Sullivan and later went into management and was sent out to different Inns throughout the U.S.  She enjoyed sports, loved to cook and quilt. She was family orientated and loved having her many grandchildren around her. She is survived by a son, Jack Delmont and wife Jerry of Bourbon, Missouri; one daughter, Judy Ray and husband Tom of Sullivan, Missouri; brother, David Tackitt of Galina, Kansas; three sisters, Linda Schnabel of Galina, Kansas, Norma Singletary of Modesto, California, and Jean Robinson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Memorial funeral services will be held at a date to be determined later. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri. Fanny Adelaide Blankenship Fanny Adelaide Blankenship, of Cuba, Missouri, formerly of Vienna, Missouri, was born on April 14, 1921, at Vichy, Missouri, in Maries County, to Noah Elandreth and Lillis Mable (Terriwilliger) Branson and passed away Sunday, November 6, 2011, at the age of 90 years, 6 months and 22 days. Fannie was united in marriage on August 6, 1940, at Hardy, Arkansas, to Clarence Omer Blankenship, and to this union 10 children were born. Fannie was a member of the Church of Christ, Vienna, Missouri, the Vienna Senior Citizens Center and the Friendly Neighbors Square Dance Club, Rolla. Prior to her retirement and moving to Vienna in 1968, she had been employed for 30 years at numerous jobs as a machine operator including the Kellwood Company, New Haven, Missouir and Brown Shoe Company at Union, Bluff City and Hannibal, as well as being a devoted housewife and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her parents, Noah and Lillis Branson; husband, Clarence on May 17, 1992; two daughters, infant Lillian Annette Blankenship and Sharon “Bobby” Ward; four brothers, infant twins, Clarence and Reginald Branson, Melbern Branson and Ralph Branson; two sisters, Irma Moreland and Lucille Helton and two sons-in-law, Ray Ward and Bill Gerbes. She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, David and Donna Blankenship, Owensville, Missouri, Clarence, Jr. and Patty Blankenship, Hermann, Missouri, Ike and Betty Blankenship, Holts Summit, Missouri and Mike and Carol Blankenship, Macon, Georgia; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Dinah and Jim Cooper, Osage City, Missouri, Joyce and Dalton Eikerman, Hermann, Missouri, Alice and D.J. Shockley, Cuba, Missouri and Aloha Gerbes, Brazito; three sisters, Virginia Mulanix, Macon, Missouri, Victoria Bolten, Jefferson City, Missouri and Isola Carlson, Dallas, Texas; 23 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at noon, Wednesday, November 9, 2011, in the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Rev. Craig Burcham, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Holts Summit, officiating. Two favorite selections, “Where the Roses Never Fade” and “On the Far Side Banks of Jordan” were played and her son-in-law, D.J. Shockley sang “I Saw the Man” for the funeral service. Interment was in the Vienna Public Cemetery under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers were her sons, David Blankenship, Clarence Blankenship, Jr., Ike Blankenship and Mike Blankenship. Arrangements under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna, Missouri. Bessie Marie Farnsworth Bessie Marie Farnsworth of Owensville, Missouri was born September 6, 1924 in Roseville, California to Mary Smith and passed away Monday, November 7, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri at the age of 87 years. In 1948, she was united in marriage to Hubert Lee Farnsworth She enjoyed working on crafts, especially making macramé’ baby dolls. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Smith; her husband, Huberton June 17, 1997; a son, Jerry Lee Farnsworth and one sister, Louise. She is survived by two sons, James Farnsworth and wife Mary of Gerald, Missouri and Jack Farnsworth of Park City, Utah; one sister, Mitz Murphy of Branson, Missouri; one grandson, Brandon Farnsworth of Texas; one great-granddaughter; other relatives and friends. At Bessie’s request, she was cremated. Arrangements under the direction of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Raymond George Houser Raymond George Houser of St. James, Missouri was born on March 24, 1945 in Hannibal, Missouri to George Aaron and Emma Lorraine (Randall) Houser and passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 66 years, 7 months and 16 days. Raymond was united in marriage to Marilyn Devall on May 13, 1965 in Hannibal, Missouri. Raymond was a minister of the gospel and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Emma Houser; one brother, Junior Greer; one sister, Lilly Brown and one sister-in-law, Betty Greer. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Houser of St. James, Missouri; one son, Ron Houser of St. Louis, Missouri; four daughters, Tammy Vaught and husband Harrison of Holts Summit, Missouri, Debi Tillman and husband Frank of Rogers, Arkansas, Syndi Phenix and husband Scott of St. James, Missouri and Missy Oliver and husband Rick of St. James, Missouri; two brothers, Marvin Houser and wife Linda of Hannibal, Missouri and Eugene Greer of Quincy, Illinois; seven grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Jones Funeral Home with Family officiating. Pallbearers were Scott Phenix, Frank Tillman, Rick Oliver, Harrison Vaught, Michael Houser, and Ron Houser. Burial was in the family plot in the St. James Cemetery in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Jordan Blain Kent Jordan Blain Kent of Imperial, Missouri formerly of Cuba, Missouri, was born December 10, 1987 at St. Louis, Missouri to Robert “Rob” Kent II and Rhonda (nee Lawson) Kent and passed away Friday, November 11, 2011 at Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 23 years. Jordan had been working in construction for the past few years, but he was always working to make another dollar. He would do any odd job that someone needed done. Jordan was always working on his car stereo system, trying to make it the best. He kept care of the family cemetery, and was compassionate about helping others any way that he could and always said “Good Bye I Love You” before he would leave or hang up the phone. He had a great love for kids and family and if you needed him all you had to do was call and he was there. He enjoyed computers, video games, music and living life. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas J. Kent; step grandfather, Bob Pohl; great grandparents, Lulleen and Howard Berry, Marvin and Emma Lawson and William and Ellen Graham; other relatives and friends. He is survived by his mother, Rhonda Kent of Branson, Missouri; father, Rob and wife Jeannine Kent of Imperial, Missouri; one brother, Bradley Alan and wife Nicole Kent of Branson, Missouri; step brother, Brian Swasey; step sister, Natalie Swasey, both of Imperial, Missouri; one nephew, Kaleb Kent of Branson, Missouri; grandparents, Bob and Nancy Kent of St. James, Missouri and Kenneth and Nova Lawson of Cuba, Missouri; great grandmother, Norma Jean Pohl of St. James, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Pastor Steven Wick officiating. Family and friends served as pallbearers. Private interment and prayers followed in St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Bernice Mae King Bernice Mae King of Glencoe, Minnesota was born December 29, 1927 at Bowen, Kentucky to Shelby and Liza (nee Howell) Townsend and passed away Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Glencoe, Minnesota at the age of 83 years. Bernice was united in marriage to Orville Timothy King on September 30, 1944 at Walton, Indiana and to this union five children were born. Bernice spent her life taking care of her family and serving the Lord. She attended the Word of Life Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota for the last nine years. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, going fishing with her husband and was famous for her homemade Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Spending time with family and spoiling all of them was what Bernice truly enjoyed most in life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Shelby and Liza Townsend; husband, Orville King; one son, Tim King; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; five brothers; other relatives and friends. She is survived by her children, Connie and husband Larry Maguire of Glencoe, Minnesota, Calvin and wife Ann King of Topeka, Kansas, Larry and wife Wanda King of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Linda and husband Mark Hatlestad of Des Moines, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; one brother, Bob and wife Billie Townsend of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Corina and husband Bill Gundrum of Logansport, Indiana and Loretta and husband Ray Marra of Indianapolis, Indiana; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba with Pastor Don Skaggs officiating. Special music was “In the Garden,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “Supper Time.” Pallbearers were Larry Maguire, Steve Joles, Calvin Hatlestad, Larry King Jr., Jack Mullins and Joe Tiggs. Interment and prayers followed at the Kinder Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Marie Elizabeth Neidert Marie Elizabeth Neidert of St. James, Missouri was born on May 23, 1932 in Rosebud, Missouri to Jacob William and Emily Susie (Morgan) Garrett and passed away on November 7, 2011 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center at the age of 79 years. Marie Garrett was united in marriage to Lawrence Neidert on December 25, 1951 in Yancy Mills, Missouri. Marie was a farmer with her husband for several years and was also a housewife. She worked at Alfred Werber and at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri.  She did volunteer work at the Golden Age Center in St. James, Missouri.  Marie was an election judge and also a supervisory judge for many years.  She was a founding member of the Forest City Christian Church in St. James, Mo.  She loved to sew, knit, gardening and flowers. She also loved crafts.  She was also a seamstress (even in the last week in the hospital). She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Emily Garrett; her husband, Lawrence Neidert in 1971; four brothers, Kenneth, Leroy, Freddy Garrett and Marion R. Garrett and two sisters, Rosa Mae Seddon and Beatrice Forrester and granddaughter Kati Neidert on September 13, 2005. She is survived by two sons, Joseph Neidert of St. James, Missouri and Ronald Lee Neidert and wife Patty of Diamond, Missouri; two daughters, Donna Marie Walls of Fayette, Missouri and Deborah Sue Neidert of Ironton, Missouri; one brother, Lyndon Morgan of Owensville, Missouri; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on November 9, 2011 from 11 a.m. until time of service at the Forest City Christian Church in St. James, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted on November 9, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Forest City Christian Church in St. James, Missouri with Gene Branson officiating. Music was provided by Helen Branson and Sally Carpenter. Pallbearers were Ron Neidert, Ronnie Neidert, Mark Neidert, Kirk Alexander, Rick Harris and Herb Gleize. Burial was in the family plot in the High Gate Baptist Church Cemetery in rural St. James, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Delbert M. Schindler Delbert M. Schindler of Cook Station, Missouri, formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 1, 1963 to Louis and Audrey Moss Schindler and passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 48 years, 5 months and 5 days. Delbert worked as an auto body mechanic for all of his adult life. He enjoyed hunting, woodworking and working on cars. He was a good father to all seven of this children and loved and adored his three grandchildren. He was a wonderful friend, kindhearted, gentle man, always willing to lend a hand. Everyone he met loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Schindler. He is survived by his wife, Tina Hardin Schindler of Cook Station, Missouri; children Tonya (Karl) Dobcinski of Rolla, Missouri, Holley (Jimmy) Boone of North Carolina, Nathan Schindler of Bourbon, Missouri, James Meintz of Berryman, Missouri, Christy Adams of Cook Station, Missouri, Alysia Cummings and Ian Bird, all of Steelville, Missouri; mother, Audrey Schindler of Colfax, Wisconsin; brothers, Dale (Carol) Schindler, Bruce (Lora) Schindler, Norman (Judy) Schindler, Arlan (Chari) Schindler and sister Shari (Jim) Perko, all of Wisconsin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Robin (Donnie) Warren, Wayne (Barb) Hardin and Jimmy (Connie) Hardin, all of Steelville, Missouri; grandchildren, Kaleb Dobcinski, Zoey Boone and Charli Adams; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 5-9:00PM and funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson officiating. Burial was at the Marshland Cemetery, Cook Station, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Joseph Carl Utterndorf Joseph Carl Uttendorf of St. James, Missouri was born on July 22, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri to Andrew and Sarah (Obert) Uttendorf and passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 18 days. Joseph served his country during World War II. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Sarah Uttendorf and one sister, Catherine McKinney. He is survived by one son, James Roger Uttendorf and wife Diane of St. Charles, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Graveside services was conducted at the Missouri Veterans Home Cemetery in St. James, Missouri at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2011 with Father Steve Barber officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri. Edith M. Watson Edith M. Watson nee Key of Cuba, Missouri was born on Saturday, May 25, 1918 in Cherryville, Missouri to Henry and Bessie Parrett Key and passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011 at MO Baptist Hospital, Sullivan, Missouri at the age of 93 years, 5 months and 17 days. Edith married Virgil Watson on April 21, 1951 in Pocahontas, Arkansas. She worked part-time at Famous and Barr Department Store, St. Louis, Missouri for 10 years selling ladies dresses. She recently attended Cuba Christian Church. Her hobbies were playing cards, working crossword puzzles, watching Cardinal ballgames and was an avid reader. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Bessie Key; sisters, Lena Cassidy, Dora Key and Irene (George) Gibbs; brother, James (Mabel) Key; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bernice Key, Hazel Holen, Rachel (Leonard) Boyer, Alfred (Eileen) Watson and Cecil (Mildred) Watson. She is survived by her husband, Virgil Watson of Cuba, Missouri; children, Barbara Kellar of Elburn, Illinois, Candace (Michael) Exler of St. Louis, Missouri, David (Janet) Watson of Maryland Heights, Missouri and Stanley (Tina) Watson of High Ridge, Missouri; brother, Earl Key of St. Louis, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was Monday, November 14, 2011 from 4-8 p.m. and funeral service on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri with Rev. Delmar Hutson and Tom Gibbs officiating. Burial was at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, Missouri. Lena Mae Whitson Lena Mae Whitson of St. James, Missouri, formerly of Rolla, Missouri, was born on November 5, 1929 in Lecoma, Missouri to William and Catherine (Ponzer) Horn and passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the age of 82 years. On March 20, 1951 she married Hibern “Hib” Whitson. She retired as the personnel director of the Mark Twain National Forest Service in Rolla in 1990. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rolla where she was an active volunteer for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Catherine Horn; an infant son, Robert Wesley Whitson and one sister, Ella Smith. She is survived by her husband, “Hib” Whitson of St. James, Missouri; daughter, Linda Williams and husband Melvin of St. James, Missouri; one brother, Charles Horn and wife Mary Jo of Lecoma, Missouri; three sisters, Helen Heying and husband Red of Glasgow, Missouri, Ina Schwartz of Bethesda, Maryland and Irene Calton of Berkeley, Missouri; two grandchildren, Douglas Williams and wife Rachel of St. James, Missouri and Matthew Williams of St. Charles, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Zachary and Savannah Williams of St. James, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. at the Rolla First Presbyterian Church with Rev. R. Lee Jennings officiating. Interment followed in the Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rolla, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla, 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