Mirror, Steelville Star-Crawford Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of November 19, 2014 Taresa L. Courtright Taresa L. Courtright of Highland, California, formerly of Bourbon, Missouri, was born at Goff, Kansas on December 16, 1923 to Bryan Emmerson and Blanche Lorraine (Hyde) Benback and passed away Friday, November 7, 2014 at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 21 days. Later in life, she moved to the state of California. She was, for a time, married to Ronald LaClaire. After Ronald died, she was married to Jack Harrell. He too, preceded her in death and Taresa then married Paul Courtright. Taresa was an Avon representative for 15 years and had won the prestigious Abby Award, for having reached various sale goals. She was also inducted into the Presidents Club of Avon. In her early years, she was known as a rock hound and would cut and polish her collected stones and make handcrafted jewelry. She also enjoyed photography, traveling and the outdoors. Her true gift was making Christmas ornaments from various items of nature she found in the desert such a rocks and driftwood. Taresa was a devout animal lover. She never harmed a living thing up to the point of giving ants and bees water and food. Taresa was a member of the Lion's Club Ladies Auxiliary and the Assembly of God in Bourbon. She is survived by a daughter, Trixie May Ferrell of Highland, California; one sister, Rae Jean Robison of Bourbon, Missouri; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son-in-law, John Dallas Ferrel; grandchild, Teri; one brother, Floyd Benback and two sisters, Naomi Builder and Eva May Derr. Visitation was held from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 from the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Duncan Skiles officiating. Interment was in Bourbon Cemetery, Bourbon, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. Olin Cleo Evans Olin Cleo Evans of Festus, Missouri was born on March 11, 1939 in Shirley, Missouri to Roy and Edna (nee Mabe) Evans and passed away on November 13, 2014 at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City, Missouri at the age of 75 years. Olin was a truck driver for Supreme Express until his retirement. He enjoyed supplying food and clothing items to the South Dakota Indiana Reservation for 18 years. He was a member of the Life Christian Church in DeSoto and a member of the Masonic Lodge in St. Louis for 48 years. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Evans; and brothers, Lavern Evans and Odell Evans. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia (nee Bailey) Evans of Festus, Missouri; sons, Dewayne Evans of Steelville, Missouri, Roy Evans of Festus, Missouri and James Evans and wife Amanda of DeSoto, Missouri; daughters, Angie Lasmanis of Cuba, Missouri, Theresa Sanders and husband Johnny of Steelville, Missouri and Brenda Pippin of Festus, Missouri; sisters, Glenna Dicus of Park Hills, Missouri and Marilyn Benson and husband Dale of St. James, Missouri; sister-in-law, Patricia Evans of Vichy, Missouri; 14 grandchildren and 20 great- grandchildren. Visitation was held on Friday, November 14, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at Mahn Funeral Chapel in DeSoto, Missouri with funeral service on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at noon with Pastor Derry Bowling officiating. Burial followed in the Shoal Creek Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri at 2:15 p.m. Arrangements under the direction of the Mahn Funeral Chapel in DeSoto, Missouri. Rosemary J. Feldmiller Rosemary J. Feldmiller of Affton, Missouri, formerly of St. James, Missouri, was born on December 13, 1923 in Shannon County, Missouri to Albert and Nora (Summers) Bartle and passed away Friday, October 31, 2014 at the age of 90 years. Rosemary was a longtime member of the St. James First Church of God. She enjoyed working in the yard and her many flower gardens, but her biggest thrill was being with her family, she loved running around with her sisters, daughters and nieces. Rosemary was retired from the United States Postal Service. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Nora Bartle; daughter, Lorraine Feldmiller; brothers, Bill, Charlie, Otha and Raymond Bartle; sisters, Jewell Holt and Nellie Saladin. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ann Mclain, of Affton, Missouri; grandson, Craig Scott Copeland; and great-granddaughter, Elayna Rose Copeland; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held at the St. James Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary on Monday, November 3, 2014 from 12:30- 1:30 p.m. Graveside services were held Monday, November 3, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Gary Bartle officiating. Arrangements under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James, Missouri. Carol Jean Foster Carol Jean Foster (nee Mercer) of Sullivan, Missouri was born on November 19, 1946 to John Thomas and Marie (Bridgeman) Mercer at Sullivan, Missouri and passed away at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas on Friday, November 7, 2014 at the age of 67 years. She lived the majority of her life in the Sullivan area and on August 2, 1962 was united in marriage to George Foster. Carol received her LPN license in 1977 and was employed by the Sullivan Community Hospital. She then earned her RN degree and worked for Skaggs Hospital in Branson, Missouri. She retired after 34 years in the nursing field. Carol then returned to the Sullivan area where she enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Carol enjoyed flower gardening and was described as a generous, sweet and kind person. Carol was a member of Pea Ridge Pentecostal Church. She is survived by two sons, Danny Foster and Glen Foster and wife Tonia of all of Sullivan, Missouri; two daughters, Connie Carter and husband Ken and Carla Keys and husband Mark all of Kirbyville, Missouri; seven brothers, Junior Mercer and wife Teresa of Bourbon, Missouri, Bobby Mercer and wife Sarah of Sullivan, Missouri, Wayne Mercer of Berryville, Arkansas, Glenn Mercer of Owensville, Missouri, and Clifton Mercer of Cuba, Missouri, and David Bridgeman and wife Anna Nelle of Potosi, Missouri; three sisters, Patsy Payne and husband Rick of Sullivan, Missouri, Connie Baum and husband Harry of Kansas City, Missouri, Margaret Buckner and husband Leslie of Doniphan, Missouri; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Foster and two brothers, Leroy and Ronnie Mercer. Visitation was held from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the First Assembly of God in Bourbon, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted at noon on Thursday, November 13, 2014 from the First Assembly of God in Bourbon with Pastor John Ripley and Pastor Derick Ruble officiating. Interment in Chapel Hill Cemetery, rural Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home. Dr. Bennat Curtis Mullen Dr. Bennat Curtis Mullen of Nacogdoches, Texas was born January 5, 1933, in Cuba, Missouri, to Ella Mae McKee and Lawrence Jennings Mullen and passed away on November 8, 2014 at the age of 81 years. He credited his parents and hardscrabble childhood with molding his strong work ethic; his self-image as a long distance runner, both physically and philosophically; his love of nature; and his commitment to social justice. After graduating from Cuba High School in 1951, Bennat enlisted in the Air Force and served in a radar and radio communications unit in Japan during the Korean War. He then returned to Missouri and obtained a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State College. While working on graduate degrees from the University of Missouri, Bennat supported his young family by teaching high school English and history and then serving as a high school principal in various south Missouri schools. After earning a Doctorate of Education, he worked at the Mid-Continent Regional Educational Laboratory in Maryville, Missouri, and was then hired, in 1969, by Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he taught and led innovative educational programs for 30 years before capping his career in education by setting up Texas A&M University's Leadership Academy in Jefferson, Texas, and the Bill Ratliff School Executive Academy of Northeast Texas. While taking summer classes at Southwest Baptist College, Bennat got a bit part in a play; by the end of the run, he had convinced the lead, Patricia Ann Mitchell of Bolivar, to marry him. They had 58+ years together. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella and Lawrence Mullen; older sister, Mildred Bell; younger brother, Cleatis Mullen; Pat's parents, Carl and Lyla Mitchell; and, his greatest loss, son David. He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Diana; son-in-law, Craig; son, Ben; daughter-in-law, Jackye; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Madison Ball of Austin, Texas, Melissa and David Mullen of The Colony, Texas, Mitch, Meadow and Aidan-Drake and special boy Luke; sister, Grace Kaysinger (John Kammler) of Cuba, Missouri; brother, Robert (Darlene) Mullen of Cuba, Missouri; many Mullen and McKee aunts and uncles; other relatives and friends. A memorial service celebrating Bennat's life was held Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 2 p.m. with visitation immediately following at Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas. Arrangements under the direction of the Laird Funeral Home in Nacogdoches, Texas. Florence A. Mullen Florence A. Mullen of Cuba, Missouri was born November 2, 1911 at Olney, Illinois to John William Henry and Mable Gertrude (nee Jenners) Walden and passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the age of 103 years. Florence was united in marriage to Henry Joseph Mullen on June 11, 1928 at St. Louis, Missouri and to this union 12 children were born. Florence spent her life taking care of her family. She was an excellent cook that could make a huge meal out of nothing. Florence was known for her squirrel gravy, fried chicken, biscuits, donuts, lemon pie and black berry cobbler, just to name a few and everything was cooked on a wood cook stove. Florence enjoyed drawing, reading, gardening, fishing, playing bingo and loved playing practical jokes. For many years Florence and her husband took care of Lick Creek Cemetery by hand. She would take scissors and go around each monument just to make sure everything looked perfect. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Gertrude Walden; three children, Russ Mullen, Cliff Mullen and Nancy Mullen; one sister, Martha "Leona" Mullen; two brothers, Joe and wife Carol Walden and John and wife Deloris Walden; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; two sons-in-law, George Martin and Bill Glaese. She is survived by her children, Delbert and wife Joann Mullen of Cuba, Missouri, Joe and wife Rose Marie "Ree" Mullen of Union, Missouri, Mabel Martin of Cuba, Missouri, Pat and wife Nancy Mullen of Cuba, Missouri, Shirley Parker of Dickinson, Washington, Estell and husband Bill Imes of Winthrop, Washington, Caroline Glaese of Springfield, Missouri, Mike and wife Ann Mullen of Cuba, Missouri, Phil and wife Linda Mullen of Cuba, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Maureen Mullen of St. James, Missouri; 22 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Friday, November 14, 2014 from 3-7 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri with Cliff Mullen as officiant. Special music was "Precious Memories," "Will the Circle be Unbroken" and "Amazing Grace." Interment prayers followed at the Lick Creek Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Robert "Bobby" Richardson Robert Charles "Bobby" Richardson of Cuba, Missouri was born July 27, 1956 at St. James, Missouri to Charles and Wanda (nee Smith) Richardson and passed away Monday, November 10, 2014 at the age of 58 years Bobby was united in marriage to Rhonda Bridgeman on November 12, 1977 at St. James, Missouri and to this union two sons were born. Bobby worked as a truck driver for nearly 40 years. He was an owner/operator for 30+ years and completed his career as a truck driver driving a dump truck for Mike Myers Hauling and Excavating. When Bobby wasn't driving a truck he was working on them. The past few years Bobby helped his sons while they were working on their motorcycles. In his younger years Bobby enjoyed working on and driving fast cars. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Wanda Richardson. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Richardson of the home; two sons, Michael Richardson and Robert Richardson and fiancˇe Ashley Beasley, all of Cuba, Missouri; three grandchildren, Tekuila Richardson of Salem, Missouri, Ariel Richardson and Dakota Richardson, both of Cuba, Missouri; two brothers, Roy and wife Pansy Richardson of Vichy, Missouri and Troy and wife Helen Richardson of Rolla, Missouri; one sister, Mary Moreland of St. James, Missouri; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Norma Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Nancy and husband Jim Dotson and Karen and husband Nick Poynter of Cuba, Missouri; brother-in-law, Kevin and wife Kara Bridgeman of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Tuesday, November 11, 2104 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home in Cuba, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the Mizell Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Martin officiating. Special music was "Hey Bobby," "Only God Knows Why" and "When I Get to Where I'm Going." Interment and prayers followed at the Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba, Missouri. Veldeen "Vel" Ruble Veldeen "Vel" Ruble of Vulcan, Missouri was born on February 5, 1935, in Shannon County, Missouri, near Current River and passed away Friday, October 24, 2014 at the age of 79 years. Vel spent her childhood years near the Current River and attended school in Eminence, Missouri, and then living in St. Louis, Missouri. In her later years, she lived in Vulcan, Missouri. On April 22, 1972, she married Thomas Ruble. Vel was converted to Christ in 1960 in St. Louis, Missouri and spent the remainder of her life dedicated to his service. She spent over 38 years ministering to the needs of prisoners in Farmington, Bonne Terre, Potosi, Jefferson City, and Charleston, Missouri. Vel served the St. Louis, Bunker, and Vulcan communities as a beautician for over 50 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gracie and Oather Williams; infant daughter, Toni Darlene Damouth; granddaughter, Katie Darlene Damouth; husband, Lendon Damouth; brothers, Verdis and James Williams; and sisters, Bea Janak, Maxine Smith and Vesta Crouch. She is survived by her husband, Tom; two sons, Rick Damouth and wife Kathy of Leasburg, Missouri and Rob Damouth and wife Donna of Salem, Missouri; one daughter, Linda Mickan and husband Mike of Hogan, Missouri; two stepchildren, Lea Eaton and husband Rob of Bonne Terre, Missouri and Terry Ruble of Farmington, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Shonna Morrison and husband Dan, Ricky Lendon Damouth and wife Vanessa, Sierra Damouth, James Lendon Mickan (J.L.) and wife Candace, Destiny Huff and husband Kyle, Jessi Roderman and husband Brandon, Corey Damouth and wife Katrina, Megan Flowers and husband Joey and Mariah Damouth; two brothers, Lindell Williams and wife Wanda and Denzil Williams and wife Millie, all of Bunker, Missouri; two sisters, Maude Happel and husband "Hubb" and Doris Roberts, all of Salem, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Eula Williams of Eminence, Missouri and Bonnie Williams of Bunker, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Jim Smith of Bald Knob, Arkansas; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Monday, October 27, 2014, at Free Spirit General Baptist Church at 5 p.m. with services following Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Steve Sale officiating. Pallbearers were Ricky Damouth, James Lendon Mickan, Corey Damouth, Joey Flowers, Kyle Huff, and Dan Morrison. Burial followed at the Sutton Cemetery near Vulcan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Ruegg Funeral Home. Patricia L. Schatz Patricia L. Schatz of Sullivan, Missouri passed away at Life Care of Sullivan, on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the age of 82 years. She is survived by her husband, Leroy Schatz; two sons, Michael Kocinski and wife Rosalie of Owensville, Missouri and Mark Kocinski and wife Karen of Leslie, Missouri; three daughters, Marcella Morris and husband Raymond of Owensville, Missouri, Marie Kocinski and companion Rick Farris of Bourbon, Missouri and Marjorie Kublick and husband Dan of Sullivan, Missouri; two step-sons, Michael Schatz and wife Cristina of Spring Bluff, Missouri and Mark Schatz and wife Valerie of Sullivan; one brother, Bernard Kosiba and wife Pat of Alpha, Michigan; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014 from the Southside Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014 from Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Sullivan with interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri. John Melvis Souders John Melvis Souders of Fenton, Missouri was born December 2, 1923 in Bourbon, Missouri to Jesse O. Souders and Gladys Cummins Souders and passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 90 years, 11 months and 11 days. In June of 1950 in Steelville, John was united in marriage to Florence D. Walker and to this union three children were born. John served his country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947. He worked for General Motors for 30 years and retired in 1984. He was a member of the UAW Local #25. During high school John was active in 4-H and carried that interest throughout the years by his time spent gardening, hunting and fishing. He loved the outdoors and was always a hard worker. Even after retirement, he enjoyed doing lawn work for others. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Florence Souders of Fenton, Missouri; one son, Carl Lee Souders of Villa Ridge, Missouri; two daughters, Karen Lynn Tynes and Keith Tynes Sr. of Affton, Missouri and Lorna Jean Stelmar and husband Richard of High Ridge, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Kelly Blake and husband Robert, Keith Tynes, Jr. and wife Angie, Michael Stelmar and wife Angela, Bret Stelmar and wife Bobbi, Rachel Nicholl, Katherine Souders and Joseph Souders; six great-grandchildren, Erin, Katelyn and Maggie Tynes, Tabetha and Tiffany Blake and Patrick Nicholl; sister-in-law, Alice Souders of Rockford, Illinois; brother-in-law, Cecil Pyatt of Cuba, Missouri; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jessie Souders Jr., George Souders and William Souders; and three sisters, Hazel Souders, Helena Bryan and Connie Sue Pyatt; sisters-in-law, Aileen Moutray and husband Raymond, Ava Bishop and husband Kenneth; and brother-in-law, Thomas Walker and wife Betty. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, Missouri with Rev. Matt Cook officiating. Special music of "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace" was played. Committal prayer and interment were in the Liberty Cemetery, Steelville, Missouri with full military honors by the U.S. Army and VFW Post 5608 of St. James. Casket bearers were Keith Tynes, Jr., Robert Blake, Michael Stelmar, Bret Stelmar, Russ Bishop and Rusty Bishop. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Ronald William Waller Ronald William Waller of Steelville, Missouri was born August 15, 1949 in Steelville, Missouri to William "Bill" Ferd and Betty Lou Walker Waller and passed away Friday, November 14, 2014 at the age of 65 years, 2 months and 30 days. On January 24, 1976, he was united in marriage to Joe Ann Alexander. Ronnie professed his faith in Christ as a teenager and was baptized at the age of 17. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1973. He worked at Steelville Manufacturing for 16 years and retired in 2012. Ronnie spent many hours making bows and arrows, cutting wood and doing target practice in his spare time. He is survived by his wife, Joe Ann Waller of Steelville, Missouri; his parents, Bill and Betty Waller of Steelville, Missouri; brother, Richard Allen Waller of Steelville, Missouri; sister, Mary Sue Smart of Fulton, Missouri; other relatives and friends. There will be a private family inurnment. Arrangements under the direction of the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri. Viola Mae Wideman Viola Mae Wideman of Cuba, Missouri was born on November 25, 1916 in Ware, Missouri to George William Aders and Cora Eva (nee Lee) Aders-Hamrick and passed away on November 11, 2014 at the age of 97 years. She was married to Harry E. Wideman. She worked at the DeSoto Shoe Factory and was also a bus driver for the Hillsboro School District. She is preceded in death by her parents, George Aders and Cora Aders-Hamrick; husband, Harry E. Wideman; son, George A. Wideman; two daughters-in-law, Joyce Wideman and Barbara Ann Wideman; one brother, Henry Aders; grandson, Michael Friedmann; two great grandchildren, Tony Whisenhut and Mary Dickemann. She is survived by children, Thelma (Robert) Friedmann of Steelville, Missouri, Ethel (John) Pratt of DeSoto, Missouri and Harry E. "Pee-Wee" (Marie Hale) Wideman of El Dorado, Illinios; 34 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 4-8 p.m. at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in DeSoto, Missouri. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014 at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in DeSoto, Missouri with Jimmie Turner and Rev. Dr. Jeremy Muniz officiating. Burial was in the Red Bud Memorial Gardens in Potosi, Missouri. Arrangments under the direction of the Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in DeSoto, Missouri. Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. http://www.threeriverspublishing.com/ ************************************************ 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